Japan Carbon Steel Import Expands by 22.4% in CY2011

Japanese carbon steel import increased by 22.4% to 4.483 million tonnes in CY2011 from CY2010, which exceeded 4 million tonnes for the first time in six years, according to Ministry of Finance. Japanese steel users including dealers, electric appliance makers and shipbuilders increased procurement of imported steels under historically high yen rate. Especially import from South Korea hit the record high volume at near 3 million tonnes. South Korean steel makers such as Hyundai Steel aggressively expanded output capacities and won exchange rate was weak against yen.

By items, sheet pile expanded by 2.7 times to 15,096 tonnes and steel plate doubled to 468,951 tonnes. Hot-rolled steel sheet increased by 13.3% to 1.776 million tonnes and cold-rolled steel sheet increased by 11.0% to 912,515 tonnes. Zinc coated steel sheet increased by 33.4% to 568,008 tonnes. Magnetic steel sheet expanded by 77.9% to 43,440 tonnes and tin plate increased by 8.9% to 17,170 tonnes. Tin-free steel sheet increased by 49.5% to 9,415 tonnes.

By countries, the import increased by 29.9% to 2.952 million tonnes from South Korea while increased by 6.4% to 638,146 tonnes from China and by 15.8% to 818,219 tonnes from Taiwan.

In December, carbon steel import decreased by 8.2% to 406,692 tonnes over the previous month. The import decreased for 2 months in a row.