Japan Carbon Steel Import to Decrease by 7.2% in F2006

Japanese carbon steel import decreased by 7.2% to 3.797 million tonnes in fiscal 2006 at ended of March 2007 from fiscal 2005r, which decreased in 4 years, announced by Japan Iron and Steel Federation on Tuesday. The main item of cold rolled steel sheet import decreased by 10.5%. Flat steel products import decreased. Long products import decreased by 20%. Meanwhile, pig iron import increased by 2.3 times. All steel import including pig iron, ferro-alloy or special steel increased for 4 years.

Hot, cold and galvanized steel sheet import decreased by 3% to 2.943 million tonnes in fiscal 2006 from fiscal 2005. The import increased by 2.3% to 1.655 million tonnes for hot rolled steel sheet, while decreased by 10.5% to 932,154 tonnes for cold rolled steel sheet, by 4.2% to 355,438 tonnes for coated steel sheet. The import for tin plate or other coated steel sheet decreased, too.

Japanese steel sheet import was 1.803 million tonnes from South Korea, 235,149 tonnes from China and 860,893 tonnes from Taiwan.

Steel plate import decreased by 23.5% to 207,927 tonnes in fiscal 2006 from fiscal 2005. The import was 56,764 tonnes from South Korea, 104,417 tonnes from China and 42422 tonnes from Taiwan.

Long product import decreased by 19.9% to 441,000 tonnes in fiscal 2006 form fiscal 2005. The import decreased by 6.9% for wire rod and by 36% for H-beam.

See attached table.