Japan's CR steel sheet shipments drop 14.8% month-on-month in April

Japan's cold-rolled (CR) steel sheet and strip shipments totaled 347,530 metric tons in April 2026, marking a 14.8% decline from the previous month and a slight 0.3% decrease year-on-year, according to data released by the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF).

Domestic consumption accounted for 56.5% of total shipments, while the remaining 43.5% were directed to export markets.

In terms of supply chain positioning, inventories of CR sheet and strip fell to 640,200 metric tons over the same period---down 1.7% month-on-month and 3.1% year-on-year. The majority of these stocks (74.0%) were held by steel producers, with traders holding the remaining 26.0%.

Meanwhile, domestic production of CR sheet and strip amounted to 336,307 metric tons in April, reflecting an 11.8% monthly decrease and a steep 14.6% annual decline.