According to the preliminary data released by the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF), Japan's ordinary steel product shipments in August totaled 5.65 million metric tons, decreasing by 14.2 percent year on year, and up 1.3 percent compared to July. Approximately 60 percent of the shipments were made to the domestic market, with the rest going to the export markets.
Meanwhile, during the month in question, Japan's inventory of ordinary steel products amounted to 5.83 million metric tons, down 10.7 percent year on year and up 4.1 percent over July. Of the total inventory, approximately 80 percent was held by producers, with the remaining 20 percent held by dealers.
As SteelOrbis previously reported, Japan's crude steel output in August totaled 8.3 million metric tons, up 8.4 percent month on month, but down 18.3 percent compared to August last year.