Japan Iron and Steel Federation in a release said that Japan’s December Steel exports increased by 18.5% YoY to 3.19 million tonnes. JISF said that exports to China rose by 23.9% YoY, increasing for the seventh straight month, while those to South Korea gained by 33% YoY. Exports to Taiwan increased by 16.6% YoY and to the US dropped by 14.8% YoY, down for the first time in 13 months, while those to Thailand lifted by 26.9% YoY. Destination Volume Change China 523,000 +23.9% South Korea 790,000 +33.0% Taiwan 365,000 +16.6% Thailand 362,000 +26% US 169,000 -14.8 (Volume is in tonnes)