According to the prediction of Japan, from April to June, Japanese steel demand may decrease by 2.4% year on year to 19.97 million tons, mainly due to unstable supplies of parts for the manufacturing industry, especially the insufficient supply of semiconductor chips.

Meanwhile, the uncertain economic situation of other countries and the war between Ukraine and Russia may also bring a negative influence on steel demand.

Therefore, Japan estimated that from April to June, the total steel exports shall be 6.59 million tons, decreasing by 8.4% compared with the previous year, while the crude steel output shall be about 21.92 million tons, down by 4.6% year on year.