Japan Steel Makers Purchase Much Ferrous Scrap in Apr-Jun

Japanese steel makers purchased 7.802 million tonnes of ferrous scrap from dealers in April-June 2006, increasing by 206,000 tonnes from the same period of 2005. The purchasing volume hit record as of the quarter period since October-December 2001, according to Japan Ferrous Raw Materials Association. Including the statistics before October-December 2001, the volume in April-June 2006 was secondly highest after 7.957 million tonnes in October-December 1990.The purchase volume increased by 430,000 tonnes to 14.766 million tonnes in January-June 2006 from the first half of 2005. The volume increased by 77,000 tonnes to 370,000 tonnes in Hokkaido area, by 250,000 tonnes to 3.403 million tonnes in Kanto area, by 65,000 tonnes to 2.53 million tonnes in Tokai area and by 144,000 tonnes to 1.549 million tonnes in Kyusyu area. The volume decreased by 104,000 tonnes to 650,000 tonnes in Tohoku area, by 11,000 tonnes to 610,000 tonnes in Hokuriku area, by 44,000 tonnes to 3.905 million tonnes in Kinki area and by 33,000 tonnes to 1.75 million tonnes by 33,000 tonnes in Chugoku and Shikoku areas.