Japanese crude steel output to exceed 112 mio tons

Japanese crude steel output to exceed 112 mio tons

Japanese crude steel production is expected to exceed 112 million tons this year for the first time in the last thirty years due to the strong demand from domestic and overseas automakers, consumer electronics manufacturers and shipbuilders. According to the Japan Iron and Steel Federation data, crude steel production amounted to 103.2 million tons in the first eleven months of the year with a rise of 1.9% compared to the same period of last year. In Jan-Nov 2004 period, the production of galvanized steel sheet, which is used in car bodies and consumer electronics, rose by 1.7% year-on-year to 13.1 million tons while steel plate output, which is used in shipbuilding and construction, was recorded as 10.2 million tons, up by 12.4%. Japanese steel companies increased their production capacity to handle with strong demand in Japan, China and other Asian countries.