Japan Common Steel Inventory Decreases in September

Japanese common steel inventory decreased by 0.1% or 4,000 tonnes to 5.628 million tonnes at Japanese steel makers and distributors at the end of September from a month ago, according to Japan Iron & Steel Federation. The inventory decreased for the first time in late 3 months but kept high level due to decreasing demand under the influence of Japanese building standard law revision. The inventory decreased by 6.2 points to 107.4% of shipment for domestic market, which exceeded 100% for 6 consecutive months.Steel makers’ inventory decreased to 4.084 million tonnes by 15,000 tonnes at the end of September from a month ago. Makers’ inventory for sheet pile, steel bar or wire rod increased. Steel distributors’ inventory increased to 1.543 million tonnes by 11,000 tonnes. Distributors’ inventory increased by 10,000 tonnes for H-beam, by 5,000 tonnes for steel bar and by 11,000 tonnes for steel sheet.The inventory for export decreased to 976,000 tonnes by 13.4% or 151,000 tonnes, down for 2 consecutive months. Total inventory decreased by 2.3% to 6.604 million tonnes for domestic market and export. The inventory decreased by 5.7 points to 91.8% of shipment for domestic market, which marked a 16-months consecutive drop below 100%.Japanese common steel products production was 7.043 million tonnes in September while the shipment was 7.197 million tonnes, which was 5.24 million tonnes for domestic market 1.958 million tonnes for export.