According to Japan Iron & Steel Federation, Japan's imports of iron and steel products totalled 604,000 tonnes in November 2009, up by 12.4% MoM, hitting a level of 600,000 tonnes for the first time since 628,000 tonnes in November 2008, of which ordinary steel products accounted for 295,000 tonnes, up by 9.7% MoM.

Of the ordinary steel products imported, HR sheets made up 119,000 tonnes, down by 0.4% MoM, CR sheets 61,000 tonnes, down by 7.4% MoM, heavy plates 38,000 tonnes, up by 6.3% MoM, galvanized sheets 30,000 tonnes, down by 7.7% YoY and wire rods 23,000 tonnes, up by 65.2% YoY.

In January to November 2009 period, Japan's imports of iron and steel products totalled 4,139,000 tonnes, down by 44% YoY, of which ordinary steel products accounted for 2,235,000 tonnes, down by 34.8% YoY.

(Sourced from TEX Report Limited)