In September this year, Japan's industrial production increased 1.5 percent from the previous month, showing a month-on-month increase for the first time in two months, while output increased by 5.4 percent from September in the previous year, according to the preliminary indices of the Industrial Production report published by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

In the third quarter this year, the Japanese iron and steel production index increased by 0.2 percent compared to the third quarter of 2012, while the seasonally adjusted iron and steel production index fell 2.5 percent compared to previous quarter. In the third quarter this year, Japanese producers' iron and steel shipments fell by 0.2 percent and iron and steel inventories were up by 3.6 percent, both compared to the previous quarter.

On the other hand, in September the Japanese iron and steel production index increased by 3.6 percent year on year, while Japan's seasonally adjusted iron and steel production index rose 1.1 percent in September compared to August. Meanwhile, in September Japanese producers' iron and steel shipments increased by 2.3 percent and iron and steel inventories were down by 2.3 percent, both compared to the previous month.

On the other hand, according to the ministry's preliminary Current Survey of Production report, in September this year Japan produced 6.9 million mt of pig iron, up 3.2 percent, 9.2 million mt of crude steel, up 5.4 percent, and 9 million mt of semi-finished steel, up 5.1 percent, all compared to September 2012.

According to the ministry's Survey of Production Forecast in Manufacturing, Japanese industrial production is expected to increase 4.7 percent in October and to decrease 1.2 percent in November, both month on month. Meanwhile, Japanese iron and steel production is expected to fall 0.3 percent in October and to increase 4.2 percent in November, month on month.