Could Nippon-Sumitomo merger drive mini-mill consolidation?

摘要

The merger of Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Industries could lead to much-needed consolidation among Japan's mini-mills, a senior official at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Meti) said. "There are too many mini-mills in Japan, most of which are operating on very small margins that are shrinking even more on rising electricity prices," the official said during an interview in Tokyo.