Japan 2008 Raw Steel Output To Hit First Drop In 3 Years - Dec 22, 2008

Japanese raw steel output decreased by 12.9% to 8.881 million tonnes in November from a year earlier, which decreased for 2 months in a row, announced by Japan Iron and Steel Federation on Friday. The output decreased to less than 10 million tonnes for the first time in 9 months and was the lowest monthly output since April 2002 except for February output. The year to date output increased by 1.3% from same period of 2007 but the output could decrease for full year from 2007 if the December output would be the level in November. The yearly output could decrease for the first time in 3 years when Japanese makers expand the production cut.