TOKYO: Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into hot-dip galvanised steel imports from China and South Korea, the ministry announced on Wednesday.
The move follows a petition filed on April 28 by Nippon Steel, Kobe Steel and other domestic producers, who claimed that weak domestic demand and a shift toward cheaper imports had forced them to lower prices.
Hot-dip galvanised steel, commonly used in construction for metal exposed to the elements, will be the focus of the probe, which excludes imports from Hong Kong and Macau.
This is Japan’s second trade probe in recent months—METI also began investigating imports of nickel-based stainless cold-rolled steel sheets and strips from China and Taiwan in July.
According to METI, the investigation, conducted jointly with the Ministry of Finance, is expected to conclude within a year, after which authorities will decide whether to impose anti-dumping duties.
“This investigation is being carried out fairly and independently in accordance with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules to address unfair import practices,” said Tadashi Imai, chairman of the Japan Iron and Steel Federation and president of Nippon Steel.
Imai added that the industry will continue to monitor for unfair import practices beyond the current cases and will consult with the government when further trade measures are needed. He has repeatedly warned that the global rise in protectionism could expose Japan to a flood of cheap steel imports, undermining domestic production.
Source: NST
