In March this year, Japan’s crude steel production was up by 8.2 per cent compared to the previous month and down by 5.9 per cent compared to March 2022, to 7.49 million tonnes, according to data released by the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF).

Meanwhile, in the given month, Japan’s pig iron production totalled 5.36 million tonnes, up 7.6 per cent from the previous month and down 6.2 per cent year on year.

In January-March this year, the country’s crude steel output stood at 21.62 million tonnes, down by six per cent, while its pig iron production came to 15.67 million tonnes, falling by 6.4 per cent, both on a year-on-year basis.