May 15, 2026
Japan’s largest steelmaker, Nippon Steel, has announced a sharp increase in projected net profit for the fiscal year ending in March, according to a report by Scrap Monster. The company now expects a net profit of 220 billion yen, equivalent to $1.4 billion, as the impact of one-time losses diminishes.
This optimistic forecast follows a challenging previous financial year, during which Nippon Steel recorded a 95% drop in profit, falling to 17.2 billion yen. The company had acquired U.S. Steel last year for $15 billion, pledging substantial investments in the American firm.
In February, Nippon Steel had anticipated a loss of 70 billion yen for the year that ended in March, attributing the projected deficit partly to a fire at a blast furnace and expenses connected to the U.S. Steel acquisition. However, the company managed to return to profitability through enhanced cost-cutting measures, as well as gains from inventory and foreign exchange valuations, even as raw material prices climbed and the yen remained weak.
Looking ahead, Nippon Steel expects a negative impact of roughly 50 billion yen from risks related to the Middle East during the first quarter. The company stated it is not yet able to assess the full-year impact of these risks.
The broader Japanese steel industry is feeling the effects of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, which has triggered fuel supply shortages and commodity price increases. Earlier this month, rival Japanese steelmakers JFE Holdings and Kobe Steel warned of potential cost increases and possibly lower sales. JFE Holdings, the nation’s second-largest steelmaker, noted on May 8 that it is working to raise the sales price of steel products in response to rising raw material costs, including those for coking coal.
Interactive table based on the Store Companies dataset for this report.
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#
Company
Headquarters
Focus
Scale
Note
1
Nippon Steel Corporation
Tokyo
Raw Steel, Pig Iron
Global leader
Japan’s largest steelmaker
2
JFE Holdings, Inc.
Tokyo
Raw Steel, Pig Iron
Major global
Second largest in Japan
3
Kobe Steel, Ltd.
Kobe
Steel, Aluminum, Machinery
Major
Integrated steel producer
4
Nisshin Steel Co., Ltd.
Tokyo
Stainless, Carbon Steel
Major
Part of Nippon Steel group
5
Tokyo Steel Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Tokyo
Electric Arc Furnace Steel
Major
Largest EAF producer in Japan
6
Daido Steel Co., Ltd.
Nagoya
Specialty Steel
Major
Special steel producer
7
Aichi Steel Corporation
Tokai, Aichi
Specialty Steel, Forgings
Major
Toyota Group affiliate
8
Sanyo Special Steel Co., Ltd.
Himeji
Specialty Steel
Major
Special steel long products
9
Nippon Koshuha Steel Co., Ltd.
Tokyo
Tool Steel, Specialty Steel
Medium
Special steel maker
10
Japan Casting & Forging Corp.
Kitakyushu
Steel Castings, Forgings
Medium
Part of Nippon Steel group
11
TOKUSHU KINZOKU EXCEL CO., LTD.
Tokyo
Stainless, High-grade Steel
Medium
Specialty steel processor
12
Yodogawa Steel Works, Ltd.
Osaka
Steel Sheets, Processing
Medium
Steel processing
13
Nakayama Steel Works, Ltd.
Osaka
Steel Products
Medium
Steel manufacturer
14
Kyoei Steel Ltd.
Osaka
Steel Bars, Shapes
Medium
Steel bar producer
15
Godoa Steel, Ltd.
Tokyo
Steel Bars, Wire Rods
Medium
Bar and rod producer
16
Osaka Steel Co., Ltd.
Osaka
Steel Bars, Wire Rods
Medium
Bar and rod producer
17
Tohoku Steel Co., Ltd.
Tokyo
Special Steel Bars
Medium
Special steel bar maker
18
Nippon Yakin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
Tokyo
Stainless Steel
Medium
Stainless steel producer
19
Hitachi Metals, Ltd. (Legacy)
Tokyo
Specialty Steel, Castings
Major
Now part of Proterial
20
Proterial, Ltd. (ex-Hitachi Metals)
Tokyo
Specialty Steel, Materials
Major
Includes former Hitachi Metals
21
Mitsubishi Steel Mfg. Co., Ltd.
Tokyo
Specialty Steel, Springs
Medium
Special steel products
22
Japan Stainless Steel Co.
Tokyo
Stainless Steel
Medium
Stainless steel maker
23
Nippon Denko Co., Ltd.
Tokyo
Ferroalloys, Steel
Medium
Ferroalloy producer
24
Kawasaki Steel Corporation (Legacy)
Tokyo
Integrated Steel
Major
Now part of JFE Steel
25
NKK Corporation (Legacy)
Tokyo
Integrated Steel
Major
Now part of JFE Steel
26
Iwaki Steel Co., Ltd.
Tokyo
Steel Castings
Medium
Steel casting specialist
27
Kawasaki Heavy Industries (Steel)
Tokyo
Steel Structures
Medium
Steel manufacturing division
28
Sumitomo Metal Industries (Legacy)
Tokyo
Integrated Steel
Major
Now part of Nippon Steel
29
Ataka & Co., Ltd. (Industrial)
Tokyo
Steel Trading, Processing
Medium
Steel trading and processing
30
Topy Industries, Ltd.
Tokyo
Steel Wheels, Parts
Medium
Steel wheel manufacturer
This report provides a comprehensive view of the raw steel and pig iron industry in Japan, tracking demand, supply, and trade flows across the national value chain. It explains how demand across key channels and end-use segments shapes consumption patterns, while also mapping the role of input availability, production efficiency, and regulatory standards on supply.
Beyond headline metrics, the study benchmarks prices, margins, and trade routes so you can see where value is created and how it moves between domestic suppliers and international partners. The analysis is designed to support strategic planning, market entry, portfolio prioritization, and risk management in the raw steel and pig iron landscape in Japan.
Quick navigation
Key findings
Domestic demand is shaped by both household and industrial usage, with trade flows linking local supply to imports and exports.
Pricing dynamics reflect unit values, freight costs, exchange rates, and regulatory shifts that affect sourcing decisions.
Supply depends on input availability and production efficiency, creating a distinct national cost curve.
Market concentration varies by segment, creating different competitive landscapes and entry barriers.
The 2035 outlook highlights where capacity investment and demand growth are most aligned within the country.
Report scope
The report combines market sizing with trade intelligence and price analytics for Japan. It covers both historical performance and the forward outlook to 2035, allowing you to compare cycles, structural shifts, and policy impacts.
Market size and growth in value and volume terms
Consumption structure by end-use segments
Production capacity, output, and cost dynamics
Trade flows, exporters, importers, and balances
Price benchmarks, unit values, and margin signals
Competitive context and market entry conditions
Product coverageCountry coverageCountry profile and benchmarks
This report provides a consistent view of market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators for Japan. The profile highlights demand structure and trade position, enabling benchmarking against regional and global peers.
Methodology
The analysis is built on a multi-source framework that combines official statistics, trade records, company disclosures, and expert validation. Data are standardized, reconciled, and cross-checked to ensure consistency across time series.
International trade data (exports, imports, and mirror statistics)
National production and consumption statistics
Company-level information from financial filings and public releases
Price series and unit value benchmarks
Analyst review, outlier checks, and time-series validation
All data are normalized to a common product definition and mapped to a consistent set of codes. This ensures that comparisons across time are aligned and actionable.
Forecasts to 2035
The forecast horizon extends to 2035 and is based on a structured model that links raw steel and pig iron demand and supply to macroeconomic indicators, trade patterns, and sector-specific drivers. The model captures both cyclical and structural factors and reflects known policy and technology shifts in Japan.
Historical baseline: 2012-2025
Forecast horizon: 2026-2035
Scenario-based sensitivity to income growth, substitution, and regulation
Capacity and investment outlook for major producing companies
Each projection is built from national historical patterns and the broader regional context, allowing the report to show where growth is concentrated and where risks are elevated.
Price analysis and trade dynamics
Prices are analyzed in detail, including export and import unit values, regional spreads, and changes in trade costs. The report highlights how seasonality, freight rates, exchange rates, and supply disruptions influence pricing and margins.
Price benchmarks by country and sub-region
Export and import unit value trends
Seasonality and calendar effects in trade flows
Price outlook to 2035 under baseline assumptions
Profiles of market participants
Key producers, exporters, and distributors are profiled with a focus on their operational scale, geographic footprint, product mix, and market positioning. This helps identify competitive pressure points, partnership opportunities, and routes to differentiation.
Business focus and production capabilities
Geographic reach and distribution networks
Cost structure and pricing strategy indicators
Compliance, certification, and sustainability context
How to use this report
Quantify domestic demand and identify the most attractive segments
Evaluate export opportunities and prioritize target destinations
Track price dynamics and protect margins
Benchmark performance against leading competitors
Build evidence-based forecasts for investment decisions
This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, wholesalers, investors, and advisors who need a clear, data-driven picture of raw steel and pig iron dynamics in Japan.
FAQ
What is included in the raw steel and pig iron market in Japan?
The market size aggregates consumption and trade data, presented in both value and volume terms.
How are the forecasts to 2035 built?
The projections combine historical trends with macroeconomic indicators, trade dynamics, and sector-specific drivers.
Does the report cover prices and margins?
Yes, it includes export and import unit values, regional spreads, and a pricing outlook to 2035.
Which benchmarks are included?
The report benchmarks market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators for Japan.
Can this report support market entry decisions?
Yes, it highlights demand hotspots, trade routes, pricing trends, and competitive context.
1. INTRODUCTION
Report Scope and Analytical Framing
Report DescriptionResearch Methodology and the Analytical FrameworkData-Driven Decisions for Your BusinessGlossary and Product-Specific Terms2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Concise View of Market Direction
Key FindingsMarket TrendsStrategic ImplicationsKey Risks and Watchpoints3. DOMESTIC MARKET SIZE AND DEVELOPMENT PATH
Market Size, Growth and Scenario Framing
Market Size: Historical Data (2012-2025) and Forecast (2026-2035)Growth Outlook and Market Development Path to 2035Growth Driver DecompositionScenario Framework and Sensitivities4. CATEGORY SCOPE, DEFINITIONS AND BOUNDARIES
Commercial and Technical Scope
What Is Included and How the Market Is DefinedMarket Inclusion CriteriaProduct / Category DefinitionExclusions and BoundariesDistinction From Adjacent Products and Substitute Categories5. CATEGORY STRUCTURE, SEGMENTATION AND PRODUCT MATRIX
How the Market Splits Into Decision-Relevant Buckets
By Product Type / ConfigurationBy Application / End UseBy Customer / Buyer TypeBy Channel / Business Model / Technology PlatformSegment Attractiveness MatrixProduct Matrix and Segment Growth Logic6. DOMESTIC DEMAND, CUSTOMER AND BUYER ARCHITECTURE
Where Demand Comes From and How It Behaves
Consumption / Demand: Historical Data (2012-2025) and Forecast (2026-2035)Demand by End-Use and Buyer GroupDemand by Customer / Consumer SegmentPurchase Criteria, Switching Logic and Adoption BarriersReplacement, Replenishment and Installed-Base DynamicsFuture Demand Outlook7. DOMESTIC PRODUCTION, SUPPLY AND VALUE CHAIN
Supply Footprint and Value Capture
Production in the CountryDomestic Manufacturing FootprintCapacity, Bottlenecks and Supply RisksValue Chain Logic and Margin PoolsDistribution and Route-to-Market Structure8. IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND SOURCING STRUCTURE
Trade Flows and External Dependence
ExportsImportsTrade BalanceImport DependenceSourcing Risks and Resilience9. PRICING, PROMOTION AND COMMERCIAL MODEL
Price Formation and Revenue Logic
Domestic Price Levels and CorridorsPricing by Segment / Specification / ChannelCost Drivers and Margin LogicPromotion, Discounting and Procurement PatternsRevenue Quality and Commercial Levers10. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE AND PORTFOLIO POWER
Who Wins and Why
Market Structure and ConcentrationCompetitive ArchetypesSegment-by-Segment Competitive IntensityPortfolio Breadth and Product PositioningCapability MatrixStrategic Moves, Partnerships and Expansion Signals11. DOMESTIC MARKET STRUCTURE AND CHANNEL LOGIC
How the Domestic Market Works
Core Demand CentersLocal Production and Distribution RolesChannel StructureBuyer and Procurement ArchitectureRegional Imbalances Within the Country12. GROWTH PLAYBOOK AND MARKET ENTRY
Commercial Entry and Scaling Priorities
Where to PlayHow to WinDistributor / Partner / Direct Entry OptionsCapability ThresholdsEntry Risks and Mitigation13. WHERE TO PLAY NEXT: MOST ATTRACTIVE GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
Where the Best Expansion Logic Sits
Most Attractive Product NichesMost Attractive Customer SegmentsWhite Spaces and Unsaturated OpportunitiesHigh-Margin and Underpenetrated PocketsMost Promising Product Adjacencies14. PROFILES OF MAJOR COMPANIES
Leading Players and Strategic Archetypes
Leading Manufacturers and SuppliersProduction Footprint and CapacitiesProduct Portfolio and Segment FocusPricing Positioning and Indicative Price LogicChannel / Distribution StrengthStrategic Archetypes15. METHODOLOGY, SOURCES AND DISCLAIMER
How the Report Was Built
Modeling LogicSource RegisterPublications, Regulatory and Industry ReferencesAnalytical NotesDisclaimer
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Nippon Steel Corporation
Japan’s largest steelmaker
JFE Holdings, Inc.
Second largest in Japan
Kobe Steel, Ltd.
Integrated steel producer
Nisshin Steel Co., Ltd.
Part of Nippon Steel group
Tokyo Steel Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Largest EAF producer in Japan
Daido Steel Co., Ltd.
Special steel producer
Aichi Steel Corporation
Toyota Group affiliate
Sanyo Special Steel Co., Ltd.
Special steel long products
Nippon Koshuha Steel Co., Ltd.
Special steel maker
Japan Casting & Forging Corp.
Part of Nippon Steel group
TOKUSHU KINZOKU EXCEL CO., LTD.
Specialty steel processor
Yodogawa Steel Works, Ltd.
Steel processing
Nakayama Steel Works, Ltd.
Steel manufacturer
Kyoei Steel Ltd.
Steel bar producer
Godoa Steel, Ltd.
Bar and rod producer
Osaka Steel Co., Ltd.
Bar and rod producer
Tohoku Steel Co., Ltd.
Special steel bar maker
Nippon Yakin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
Stainless steel producer
Hitachi Metals, Ltd. (Legacy)
Now part of Proterial
Proterial, Ltd. (ex-Hitachi Metals)
Includes former Hitachi Metals
Mitsubishi Steel Mfg. Co., Ltd.
Special steel products
Japan Stainless Steel Co.
Stainless steel maker
Nippon Denko Co., Ltd.
Ferroalloy producer
Kawasaki Steel Corporation (Legacy)
Now part of JFE Steel
NKK Corporation (Legacy)
Now part of JFE Steel
Iwaki Steel Co., Ltd.
Steel casting specialist
Kawasaki Heavy Industries (Steel)
Steel manufacturing division
Sumitomo Metal Industries (Legacy)
Now part of Nippon Steel
Ataka & Co., Ltd. (Industrial)
Steel trading and processing
Topy Industries, Ltd.
Steel wheel manufacturer
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