Affected by weak demand, Japan's steel exports totaled 2.28 million tons in January 2026, a decrease of 8.2% compared with the same month of last year. 

In January, steel sheet exports dropped sharply by 30.2% year on year, remaining at a low level. Thailand was the largest export destination in January, followed by South Korea. However, exports to China increased for the first time in four months, rising by 20.3% year on year to 185,200 tons. 

While exports declined, Japan's crude steel production also kept falling for ten months. In January, crude steel output decreased to 6.75 million tons, down by 0.5% year on year. 

According to forecasts from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, total steel exports in the first quarter of 2026 are expected to reach 6.26 million tons, down 0.5% compared with the same period in the previous year.