Steel & Metals Trade Trends
Japan's steel and metal products (HS Chapters 72-73) import/export data, top trading partners, and monthly trends from real-time trade statistics.
Last updated: 2026-05-25
Steel is one of Japan's core industries, and the high-grade steel produced by integrated steelmakers such as JFE Steel and Nippon Steel commands strong global recognition. HS Chapter 72 covers a broad range of steel products including semi-finished steel (7207), hot-rolled steel sheets (7208), and cold-rolled steel sheets (7209).
Thailand, South Korea, and China are the top export destinations, supplying demand from the automotive, shipbuilding, and construction sectors. On the import side, there are persistent concerns about low-cost steel flooding the market from China's excess capacity, and anti-dumping measures remain a recurring topic of discussion. Steel prices are closely tied to international benchmarks for iron ore and coking coal, meaning commodity market fluctuations have a direct impact on trade values. The long-term shift toward decarbonization is reshaping the cost structure of the industry, as electric arc furnace (EAF) steel and hydrogen-based direct reduction processes gradually advance.
Export/Import Value — Past 24 Months
The monthly chart below shows Japan's steel and metal products trade values (JPY basis). Price fluctuations driven by iron ore and coking coal markets as well as currency movements are reflected in the data.
Export/Import Volume Trend
Tracking volume in weight (kg) alongside value allows you to distinguish between price-driven changes and shifts in underlying physical demand.
Unit Price (JPY/kg) Trend
The unit price trend reflects steel market conditions. Comparing against international hot-rolled coil benchmarks and quarterly coking coal contract prices can reveal shifts in the domestic-international price gap.
Country Share of Exports/Imports (Past 12 Months)
Asian countries dominate the export side, with Thailand, South Korea, China, Taiwan, and Vietnam among the top destinations. On the import side, South Korea, China, and India rank highest, with domestic producers facing ongoing cost competition.
- 1.Republic of Korea36.9%
- 2.Taiwan25.5%
- 3.Thailand12.7%
- 4.United States of America7.9%
- 5.People's Republic of China4.6%
- 6.Brazil4.2%
- 7.Philippines4.1%
- 8.Indonesia3.7%
- 9.United Kingdom0.3%
- 10.Belgium0.1%
Latest Month Key Metrics
- 2026年5月の輸入額
- 127億円
- 前年同月比
- +690.0%
- 輸入数量
- 172,665,801 kg
Related HS Codes
7207— Semi-finished steel products (slabs, billets, etc.)7208— Hot-rolled steel flat products (coil and non-coil)7209— Cold-rolled steel flat products (coil and non-coil)
Chapter 72 encompasses a wide range of steel products beyond the above, including sections and bars, wire rod, and steel tubes and pipes (7304–7306).
- 7207Semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel:
- 7208Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, hot-rolled, not clad, plated or coated:
- 7209Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, cold-rolled (cold-reduced), not clad, plated or coated:
Data Source
- Japan Customs Trade Statistics (customs.go.jp)
- Kouro syncs daily at 10:00 JST following the Ministry of Finance's preliminary, revised, and 9-digit preliminary release schedule
Data shown on this page reflects the latest values retrieved daily by Kouro from Japan Customs Trade Statistics. Last updated: 2026-05-25