According to data released by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan produced 236,996 tonnes of hot rolled stainless steel in September 2012, down by 0.9% MoM and also decreasing by 5.9% YoY.

Among them, the output of chrome based HR stainless steel was at 124,719 tonnes, up by 2.3% MoM and that of nickel based HR stainless steel totaled 112,277 tonnes, decreasing by 4.2% MoM.

In the third quarter of 2012, the country's production of HR stainless steel totaled 716,864 tonnes, down by 1.7% QoQ in comparison of 729,471 tonnes in a quarter ago.