Japan increases crude steel output in January

Japan's crude steel production increased 6.5 percent year on year to 10.1 million metric tons in January 2007, the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF) said on Tuesday, February 20, 2007. Production of specialty steel, which is used for motor vehicles and machinery, grew 3.7 percent to 2.2 million metric tons in January. In addition, output of ordinary steel amounted to 7.8 million metric tons, up 7.3 percent year on year.