Japan’s crude steel production in January decreased by 3.9% on year to about 7.92 million tonnes, or recording the 11th consecutive month that had posted an on-year decline, according to the latest data from the Japan Iron & Steel Federation (JISF) on February 22.

Though it was 5.3% higher on month, suggesting that country’s steel demand and output has been recovering steadily on month, a JISF official pointed out.

Japan’s on-month steel output recovery has been mainly supported by the better demand from the end-users such as the auto manufacturers and machinery sector, the JISF official explained.

Last month, the steel output from the blast-furnace steel mills totalled 6.09 million tonnes, down 5.9% on year but 6.5% higher on month.