In December last year, Japan's galvanized sheet shipments amounted to 902,324 metric tons, decreasing by seven percent on month-on-month basis and down by 8.1 percent compared to December in the previous year, according to data from the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF). 68.6 percent of the country's galvanized sheet shipments in December were made to the domestic market, while the remaining 31.4 percent were made to the export markets.

In 2012, Japan's galvanized sheet shipments increased by one percent compared to the previous year, amounting to 11.95 million mt.

Meanwhile, in December this year Japan's galvanized sheet inventories increased by one percent month on month to 998,113 metric tons, and were down 3.4 percent year on year. 62 percent of inventories were held by steel manufacturers, while 38 percent were held by steel traders.

The average domestic price for galvanized sheet in Japan in December was JPY 92,000/mt (approx. $995/mt), down JPY 2,000/mt ($21.6/mt) compared to the previous month and down JPY 5,000/mt (approx. $54.1/mt) year on year. In the whole year of 2012, the average domestic price of galvanized steel fell by JPY 5,000/mt compared to 2011 to JPY 92,000/mt.

In 2012, Japanese galvanized sheet output increased by 0.5 percent compared to the previous year, amounting to 11.9 million mt.