Production and technology of iron and steel in Japan during 1996

Abstract

Japan's domestic demand for steel products during the first half of 1996 steadily increased, specifically for civil engineering work under the gradual recovery of business backed by economic measures taken in the autumn of 1995. However, the production shifted due to the sluggish development of the automobile industry as well as the decrease of steel product exports and the prolonged inventory adjustments for cancellation of excessive stocks. Steel trade decreased on exports of ordinary steel products, special steel, secondary products, and semi-finished products, while pig iron production substantially increased.