Statistics from customs showed that Japan exported a total of around 4.7 million tons of ferrous scrap in the first three quarters of this year, falling by 9% compared to the corresponding period a year ago.

Among them, exports to Vietnam were the largest, totaling nearly 1.8 million tons, a remarkable year-on-year increase of 61%. South Korea was in second place with 1.23 million tons (down by 42% year on year), followed by Taiwan's 477,000 tons (down by 36% year on year).

In September alone, Japan's exports of ferrous scrap totaled around 416,000 tons, falling by 21% compared to the same month a year ago.