Japan's HRP and HRS shipments decline 7% in April 2026

Japan's hot rolled plate (HRP) and hot rolled strip (HRS) shipments both registered month-on-month declines in April 2026, according to data released by the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF).

HRP shipments totaled 671,874 metric tons in April, down 7.0% from March but up 6.6% compared with 630,035 metric tons recorded in the same month of 2025. Of this total, 73.4% was directed to the domestic market, while exports accounted for the remaining 26.6%. HRP production for the month stood at 660,956 metric tons, reflecting an 8.6% decrease month-on-month and a 6.0% increase year-on-year.

Meanwhile, HRS shipments reached 1.10 million metric tons in April, falling 15.8% from the previous month and 7.7% from April 2025. Domestic deliveries represented 26.1% of shipments, with exports making up the substantial 73.9% balance. HRS production totaled 1.12 million metric tons, down 15.0% month-on-month and 10.5% year-on-year.