Japanese crude steel output increased by 2.8% to 61.5 million tonnes for April-September 2008 from the same period of last year thanks to the strong domestic and overseas steel markets, according to Japan Iron & Steel Federation. The output hit the record high since the first half if fiscal 1973. However, the output is expected to decrease in the last half of fiscal 2008 when Japanese integrated steel makers will adjust the output due to the impact of financial crisis in USA.

The converter steel output increased to 45.86 million tonnes by 3.0% in April-September from the same period of last year. The electric furnace steel output increased to 15.64 million tonnes by 2.4%. The carbon steel output increased by 2.4% to 48.03 million tonnes and the special steel output increased by 4.6% to 13.46 million tonnes. The special steel output was second high as half year after second half of fiscal 2007.

The hot rolled steel products output increased by 2.4% to 55.15 million tonnes in the first half from same period of 2007. The carbon steel products output increased by 1.4% to 43.96 million tonnes. The special steel products output increased by 6.4% to 11.19 million tonnes. –Japan Metal Bulletin