TOKYO (Kyodo) — Japan's crude steel production rose 3.0 percent year on year to 59,803,300 tons in the six months through September, the second-highest for the reporting period since fiscal 1973, an industry group said Friday.
The strong figure is attributable to robust domestic manufacturing demand particularly from carmakers, shipbuilders and construction firms as well as rising exports to other Asian countries, according to the Japan Iron and Steel Federation.
Ordinary steel output rose 3.3 percent to 46,909,800 tons. The figure for specialty steel such as high-strength material for carmaking use increased 1.8 percent to 12,893,500 tons.
For September alone, crude steel production rose 3.4 percent to 9,932,700 tons, an increase for the 16th consecutive month.
