Japan's April crude steel production slips 0.4% on year

摘要

Japan's crude steel production in April inched down 0.4% year on year and fell 4% from March to 8.72 million mt, according to data released Wednesday by the Japan Iron & Steel Federation. A JISF official said April output inched lower even though demand has been firm, adding that this was just a temporary drop. "We expect output in April-June to be higher, so Japan's steel output will be basically kept at a high level," he said. Of the April total, production by converters was 6.45 million mt, down 2.6% year on year and 4.9% from March; electric furnace output rose 6.7% year on year - marking 19 consecutive months of year on year increases - but was down 1.3% month on month to 2.27 million mt.