In September of 2025, Japan exported 2.5 million tons of steel to the international market, 4.8% less than the same month of the previous year, marking a downtrend for six consecutive months. 

The decline was mainly caused by the weak demand of its main customers, such as Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea, and the United States. 

During the first nine months of this year, Japan exported a total of about  22.9 million tons of steel products, 4.3% less than the same period of the previous year. It was estimated that in the fourth quarter, Japan may export 6.2 million tons of steel in total, a year-on-year drop of 6.1%