Japan Import Flat Steel Stock Decreases by 11.1% in January

Japanese imported flat steel inventory decreased by 11.1% or 19,000 tonnes to 151,000 tonnes in Tokyo and Osaka at the end of February from January, announced by Japanese major trading firm, Hanwa Co. on Thursday. The inventory decreased for 2 months in a row due to slow import. The inventory increased by 12.9% or 17,000 tonnes from a year earlier.

The inventory decreased by 10.9% or 10,000 tonnes to 81,000 tonnes in Osaka at the end of February from January. The inventory was 8,000 tonnes for plate as a level in January. The inventory increased by 7.6% or 2,000 tonnes to 28,000 tonnes for hot rolled coil while the stock decreased by 21.0% or 12,000 tonnes to 45,000 tonnes for cold rolled coil.

The inventory decreased by 11.3% or 9,000 tonnes to 70,000 tonnes in Tokyo at the end of February from January. The inventory decreased by 10.0% or 1,000 tonnes to 9,000 tonnes for plate. The stock decreased by 4.7% or 2,000 tonnes to 40,000 tonnes for hot coil and by 22.2% or 6,000 tonnes to 21,000 tonnes for cold coil.