- Converter steel output declines by over 2% y-o-y
- Hot-rolled steel output falls for 11th straight month
Japan Metal Daily: Japan’s crude steel production declined by 1.6% y-o-y to 6.774 million tonnes (mnt) in November 2025, according to the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF). This marked the eighth consecutive month of y-o-y decline, with steelmakers continuing to operate at lower production levels amid weak demand in both domestic and global markets.
Daily crude steel production in November 2025 stood at 226,000 tonnes (t), up by 5,000 t m-o-m from October 2025. However, production remained low at around 82 mnt in January-November.
Production by furnace type
Converter steel output stood at 4.973 mnt in November 2025, down by 2.3% y-o-y, marking its eighth consecutive month of decline. In contrast, electric furnace steel production inched up by 0.2% y-o-y to 1.801 mnt, offering limited support to overall output.
Production by steel type
Ordinary steel production fell by 1.5% y-o-y to 5.233 mnt, marking its first decline in two months. Meanwhile, special steel production rose by 2.1% y-o-y to 1.541 mnt, partially offsetting the broader decline.
Hot-rolled steel product output also remained under pressure at 5.938 mnt, down by 1.4% y-o-y, marking the eleventh consecutive month of decline, reflecting continued weakness in downstream demand.
Outlook
Japan’s crude steel production is expected to remain under pressure in December, as weak domestic and export demand continues to constrain operating rates at steel mills. While electric furnace and special steel output may provide some support, any meaningful recovery is likely to be gradual and dependent on an improvement in domestic downstream demand and global market conditions.
Note: This article has been written in accordance with a content exchange agreement between BigMint and Japan Metal Daily.
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