Domestic steel demand remained stagnant in the first half of 1994, but began to recover in the second half in some industry sectors, such as household electric appliances and automobiles. As a result, crude steel production reached 101.4 million metric tons, which, for the first time in three years, exceeded the perceived important figure of 100 million metric tons/year. Japan's crude steel production in 1995 is expected to reach at least the 1994 level, or more likely exceed it. The sharp appreciation of yen, however, may stall economic recovery, and cause a drop in production and in unit selling prices. The unit selling price of steel products has been falling continuously. Meanwhile, total sales fell from 0.2 to 5.8 percent for all the companies in 1994.
展开▼
