Tokyo Steel holds prices for February

The decision to hold its prices means that the steelmaker has now kept its prices unchanged for two consecutive months after lifting those of several sections items by Yen 3,000/tonne ($19/t) for December sales, as Mysteel Global reported.

"In the domestic market, the movement of steel materials continues to lack excitement, such as delays in the progress of construction work in some regions, partly due to weather conditions unique to the winter season," the company said in the statement. "In terms of flat-rolled products, although there are concerns about the impact on some industries due to China's export policy regarding Japan, the current situation is generally continuing in the gradual recovery trend since last year," it added.

As a result, Tokyo Steel's price for 8mm heavy plates stays at Yen 98,000/t, that for 1.6 mm pickled sheets is still at Yen 103,000/t, and that for 1.7 mm hot-rolled coils remains at Yen 86,000/t, according to the company's price list.

Meeting with Japanese media after the announcement, Tokyo Steel director and head of sales, Yuji Komatsuzaki, admitted that swiftly coping with the fall in income from higher manufacturing and other costs was necessary. "Market expectations for a further decrease in (steel) prices are disappearing and the market shows signs of the price hitting the lowest possible level, with the lower end of prices for some items having been raised," he observed.

"But it will take time to increase the market price further," he said, adding for that reason, the company had decided to hold its prices.

The need for patience on the part of the mills is evident elsewhere. For example, last Wednesday Kyoei Steel, Japan's largest rebar producer and based in Osaka, had announced that the selling price of its rebars would be Yen 100,000/t effective immediately, as reported. Prices for 16-25 mm diameter SD295 rebars in Osaka are currently in the range of Yen 92,000-93,000/t.

Kyoei was hoping to encourage its customers to pay more for its bars but industry daily, Tekko Shimbun, suggests the market may not be ready.

"Major rebar manufacturers in the Kansai (Osaka) region have been steadily lifting selling prices since last year to eliminate the low-price range," it observed. "(Although) it is clear that the low range is disappearing and mills are announcing large price increases, due to the scarcity of building projects the market continues to wait-and-see." Sales and shipments have been stagnant so far this month and it seems that general contractors are also being cautious, it added.

Tokyo Steel's February 2026 finished steel list prices (incomplete)

Source: Tokyo Steel Manufacturing

Written by Russ McCulloch, russ.mcculloch@mysteel.com

Edited by Alyssa Ren, rentingting@mysteel.com

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