Brief analysis of Japan's stainless steel import and export data in March 2025
As a major stainless steel producer, Japan produces about 3 million tons of stainless steel and is also a net exporter.
Under normal circumstances, Japan imports about 30,000 tons of stainless steel per month and exports about 60,000 tons per month.
Import and export of stainless steel in Japan
In March 2025, Japan imported about 33,200 tons of stainless steel, an increase of 13,000 tons from the previous month, an increase of 65.6%.
An increase of 8,900 tons from the previous year, an increase of 36.4%. The export volume was about 71,600 tons, an increase of 8,400 tons from the previous month, an increase of 13.3%;
an increase of 9,100 tons from the previous year, an increase of 14.6%. The net export volume was about 38,400 tons, a decrease of 4,800 tons from the previous month, a decrease of 11%; an increase of 238 tons from the previous year, an increase of 0.6%.
From January to March 2025, Japan’s cumulative stainless steel imports were about 89,500 tons, an increase of 11,500 tons year-on-year, an increase of 14.7%;
The cumulative export volume was about 187,100 tons, an increase of 14,200 tons year-on-year, an increase of 8.2%;
The cumulative net export volume was about 97,600 tons, an increase of 2,800 tons year-on-year, an increase of 2.9%.
Japanese stainless steel import and export products
Japanese stainless steel imports are mainly coils and pipes with a width of ≥600mm, accounting for about 85%.
In March, the import volume of stainless steel increased by 65.6% month-on-month.
The increase was mainly reflected in wide coils, with hot-rolled coils increasing by 2,000 tons month-on-month and cold-rolled coils increasing by 10,900 tons month-on-month. Other products did not change much.
Japanese stainless steel exports are mainly coils and pipes with a width of ≥600mm, accounting for about 77%.
In March, exports increased month-on-month, with the increase mainly reflected in cold-rolled wide coils, increasing by 7,300 tons month-on-month, while other varieties did not change much.
Situation of major regions for Japan’s stainless steel imports and exports
Japan’s stainless steel imports are mainly from mainland China and South Korea. In March, the volume from these two regions was about 22,200 tons, accounting for about 67%.
The top five import regions had a volume of about 32,500 tons in March, accounting for about 97.8%.
Japan’s stainless steel exports are relatively scattered, mainly to South Korea, mainland China, Thailand, and India.
The export volume in March increased month-on-month, with the increase mainly reflected in India and mainland China, with a month-on-month increase of 3,200 tons and 2,900 tons, while other regions did not change much.
In March 2025, Japan’s stainless steel exports to Southeast Asia were about 18,000 tons, up 19.5% from the previous month and 14.1% from the previous year.
From January to March, the cumulative volume was about 49,200 tons, up 5,000 tons from the previous year, an increase of 11.4%.
Tabs:stainless steel
Table of Contents
Have Any Question?
High-quality manufacturers in the stainless steel industry, feel free to ask
