Japan's crude steel output falls du...

Preliminary data released Tuesday by the Japan Iron & Steel Federation (JISF) showed that the country's steelmakers both integrated mills and mini-mills were more productive during this year's January-June half than many had expected, with output reaching 40.4 million tonnes, lower by just 0.4% from H1 last year.

By process, the blast-furnace steelmakers produced 29.72 million tonnes, lower by 0.4% on year, while electric-furnace makers produced 10.68 million, lower by just 0.3% from H1 last year. The results support an observation made a week earlier on July 15 by the country's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)

Japan's crude steel output falls during Jan-June - just