In October this year, Japanese steel exports dropped 0.6 percent year on year and 8.8 percent month on month to 3.41 million metric tons, valued at $3.82 billion.
In March, Japan's steel exports had reached all-time record levels, hitting 4.21 million metric tons.
Meanwhile, in October, Japanese steel imports increased by 19.2 percent as compared to October 2009, amounting to 641,060 metric tons - up 16.2 percent month on month, and totaling a value of $857.950 million.
Year-to-date steel exports up to the end of October saw a 32.2 rise year on year to 36.12 million mt while steel imports in the same period recorded a 69.4 percent increase to 5.99 million mt.