Japan's domestic steel consumption rises 4.9% in H1 2026

Japan's domestic steel product consumption reached 3.76 million metric tons in June 2026, up 5.2% month-on-month and 3.7% year-on-year, according to data released by the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF). In the first half of 2026, total domestic steel consumption stood at 22.34 million metric tons, reflecting a 4.9% increase compared to the same period a year earlier.

During the January–June period, steel consumption in Japan's construction sector rose 2.4% year-on-year to 4.16 million metric tons, while the automotive sector consumed 5.68 million metric tons, up 4.5%. Meanwhile, the country's shipbuilding industry recorded steel product consumption of 1.42 million metric tons, marking a 3.2% year-on-year increase.