Japan's crude steel output fell on the year in May for a second consecutive month, according to the industry group Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF), largely because of sluggish demand. The country produced 6.8mn t of crude steel in May, down by 4.7pc on the year, preliminary data released by JISF on 23 June show. But steel output increased by 3.5pc on the month. Output in May is consistent with the downtrend in domestic steel demand observed over the past 12 months, a representative from JISF's statistic division told Argus. Production fell on the year despite the country's second-largest steel producer JFE ... (full story)