[SMM Iron & Steel] Japan Launches Anti-Dumping Investigations on CRC and HRC Imports from Three Asian Nations

Published: Jun 4, 2026 14:45

Save

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has officially initiated an anti-dumping investigation into cold-rolled coil (CRC) and hot-rolled coil (HRC) imported from South Korea, China, and Taiwan. The probe, prompted by petitions from domestic producers including Nippon Steel and JFE Steel, targets the growing market penetration of these imports. According to METI, CRC import volumes increased from 830,818 metric tons (mt) in fiscal year 2021 to 874,353 mt in fiscal year 2023, while HRC imports surged from 1.22 million mt in FY2021 to 1.43 million mt between October 2024 and September 2025. Scheduled to conclude within one year, this defensive trade measure highlights the intense pressure on Japanese steelmakers caused by lower-priced imports amid stagnant domestic demand. If duties are imposed, it could significantly restrict regional trade flows, forcing foreign suppliers to divert tonnages elsewhere while simultaneously tightening local supply to support the profit margins and pricing power of Japanese mills.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

5 mins ago

6.4 SMM Global Steel Daily Report

China Steel Market Export : [Sheets & Plates] Today, HRC export prices continued to decline by 2 USD/tonne on a daily basis, with transaction prices at 496-504 USD/tonne. Domestic futures fell, and market inquiry activity weakened somewhat. Domestic traders reported that tax-exclusive offers appeared in multiple northern markets, and congestion at some ports persisted. [Steel Billet] Today, square billet export prices were at 473-475 USD/tonne, easing slightly by 1 USD/tonne DoD. Recently, northern market offers were on the high side, but high-priced resources failed to close deals. Additionally, inquiries from outside China weakened, with buyers adopting a wait-and-see approach, and inquiry prices remained 3-5 USD/tonne below market prices. [Rebar] Today, rebar export offers eased slightly by 1 USD/tonne. According to some market participants, rebar inquiry activity was weak with lackluster transactions, and some steel mills plan to venture into markets outside China to seek new order-taking opportunities.

5 mins ago

37 mins ago

MMi Daily Iron Ore Report (June 4)

The DCE iron ore futures trended weaker today. The most-traded contract I2609 closed at 767 yuan/mt, down 1.85% from the previous trading session. Port spot prices fell 6-11 yuan/mt from the previous day.

37 mins ago

1 hour ago

[SMM Hot-Rolled Coil Daily Trading] Spot Trading Continued to Weaken

[SMM Hot-Rolled Coil Daily Trading] On June 4, the combined daily trading volume of hot-rolled coil from SMM's sample enterprises across four cities (Shanghai, Lecong, Tianjin, and Ningbo) totaled 12,910 mt, down 970 mt or 6.7% DoD, down 32.20% YoY (solar calendar), and down 21.14% YoY (lunar calendar).

1 hour ago