Mid-sized Plate Price is Flat around Tokyo

Mid-sized plate market price is flat at 68,000-70,000 yen per tonne around Tokyo. Major dealer is offering to raise the reselling price by 2,000 yen per tonne from this month to improve their profitability against the upsurge of import product prices. The seasonal demand of autumn has not emerged much due to the revision of Japanese building standard law. Some dealers said demand keeps slow. Local dealers or users have disapproved the hike then.Japanese integrated steel makers are advancing the measure to adjust mid plate supply and demand. However, dealers are impacted by slower shipment. Dealers are strongly concerned that some dealers plunged into the red due to increased material price. Dealers are likely to continue offering the hike.