Japan Carbon Steel Wire Products Import Hits First Drop in 7-Year

Japanese import of major carbon steel wire products decreased by 2.7% to 123,916 tonnes in fiscal 2008 from fiscal 2007, which was the first drop in 7 years, according to Japan Wire Products Association. The import decreased due to slow demand for building and civil works. However, the volume was near 2 times of fiscal 2000 level.

Japanese industry is still cautious for the cheap import when the import of wire rod increased in fiscal 2008 from fiscal 2007 despite of the slow domestic market.

The import of nail, which represented around half of the products import, increased by 1.5% to 61,494 tonnes in fiscal 2008 from fiscal 2007. The import of galvanized wire decreased by 12.8% to 35,546 tonnes. The import was still higher for the dropping domestic shipment.