Japan’s crude steel production fell by 4.8pc to 99.28mn mt in 2019 from the year prior, according to Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF). The production of pig iron too declined by 3.1pc to 74.90mn mt in the year.
Japanese crude steel production reported a downtrend for the fifth year. Exports of cars and industrial machinery to China declined, affecting the demand for crude steel. In October 2019, Nippon steel shut its plant at Kimitsu Steel Works for repairs, which also affected Japan’s output. The plant has an annual crude steel production capacity of 7,903,000mt.
JISF states steel production is likely to increase in the year 2020.