Japan increased crude steel production in January

In January, Japan's crude steel production increased by 4% monthly and 0.6% annually to 7.27 million tons.

Production of ordinary steel reached 5.59 million tons, showing a 2.6% increase compared to the previous month, but a 0.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Special steel production reached 1.67 million tons, with a monthly increase of 9% and an annual increase of 3.2%.

Hot rolled coil production in the same month reached 3.07 million tons, with a monthly increase of 3.5% and an annual increase of 4.4%, while H-beam steel production decreased by 1% monthly and 4.2% annually to 269,000 tons. Pig iron production in January was recorded at 5.35 million tons, with a monthly increase of 5.5% and an annual increase of 0.3%.

In January, blast furnace steel production reached 5.43 million tons, showing a monthly increase of 5.8% but a 0.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Electric furnace steel production decreased by 0.8% monthly but increased by 2.7% annually, reaching 1.84 million tons.

Overall in 2023, Japan's crude steel production decreased by 2.5% compared to the previous year, reaching 86.99 million tons, while pig iron production declined by 1.7% annually to 63.04 million tons.