According to statistics released by the Japan Iron & Steel Federation (JISF), the country’s crude steel output totaled 9.35 million tons in August, up by 0.6% from a month ago and increasing by 2.2% year on year.

In August, the production of heavy plates totaled 8.99 million tons, rising by 10% and increasing by 6.6% year on year, driven by higher demand from shipbuilders and heavy machinery makers.

Meanwhile, the crude steel output from basic oxygen furnaces totaled 7.42 million tons, rising by 1.8%; those from electric arc furnaces were at 1.93 million tons, falling by 3.6%, both compared to the figures in July.