Kyoei Steel holds rebar prices for September

Kyoei Steel, Japan's largest rebar producer, is keeping its domestic sales prices for rebars unchanged at all its works for September, the Osaka-based mill announced on August 21, saying that market conditions for bars have been soft nationwide and that prices in some regions are still at "excessive" lows.

"Domestic demand for steel building materials continues to lack excitement due to chronic labour shortages, delays in construction progress due to tightening working-hour regulations, and revisions of project plans due to rising material prices," Kyoei said in its policy statement. The mini-mill had tried raising its prices in January by