The Japanese ministry of economy, trade and industry has forecasted that Japanese common steel product exports may reach around 3.65 million mt in the first quarter (ends June 30) of the Japanese financial year, up 6.2 percent or 214,000 mt compared to the previous quarter.
Furthermore, the ministry expects South Korea to be the main export destination for Japan's steel exports during the first quarter with 1.136 million mt, up 3.8 percent or 41,000 mt on the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, China is expected to import 743,000 mt of steel products from Japan, up 17.7 percent or 112,000 mt compared to Q4.
Moreover, the ministry has estimated that Japanese semi-finished steel exports will total 995,000 mt, up 11.4 percent or 101,000 mt compared on the previous quarter.