Tokyo Steel, Japan’s leading electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaker, has decided to keep all product prices unchanged for January sales under its latest monthly pricing policy.
Under the decision, prices for HRC (1.7-22 mm) remain at JPY 86,000 (USD 553) per ton, while pickled and oiled coil (1.7-6 mm) stays at JPY 92,000 (USD 591) per ton. Coated coil (0.9-1.6 mm) continues at JPY 121,000 (USD 778) per ton. In long products, rebar (13-25 mm) is maintained at JPY 82,000 (USD 527) per ton, and H-beams at JPY 103,000 (USD 662) per ton.
The company said overseas markets remain mixed. In the United States, the impact of higher tariffs has supported operating rates and price indicators, but global steel trade remains sluggish amid widespread protectionist policies. In Asia, currency depreciation, weaker cash flows, and renewed political uncertainty are weighing on market activity, while China’s economy has yet to show clear signs of bottoming out. Seasonal production cuts linked to environmental measures have not significantly improved supply-demand conditions despite record steel exports.
In Japan, steel shipments remain subdued due to winter seasonality and uneven construction activity. However, Tokyo Steel expects demand to improve from next year, supported by large-scale redevelopment projects in the Tokyo metropolitan area and a gradual recovery in small and medium-sized construction projects from spring. Inventory levels are low, and the company sees potential for a faster market recovery once earlier price increases are absorbed.
Demand for steel plate products remains relatively firm, with some downstream industries planning higher production in the new year. Still, Tokyo Steel noted that a broad-based recovery, including exports, has yet to emerge, and monitoring import volumes and pricing remains necessary.
Against this backdrop, the company said it opted to maintain prices this month to better assess domestic and international supply-demand conditions and ensure recent price hikes take hold, while continuing to align production closely with demand.
1 USD / 156 JPY
