Osaka Steel, Japan's largest producer of sections, has decided to lift its section prices for October contracts by Yen 3,000/mt ($27/mt), the company confirmed Wednesday. An Osaka Steel official is unavailable for comment on details. "Production costs from October are expected to become higher, so the company has to lift prices to maintain stable production," an Osaka-based distributor said. Osaka Steel does not reveal its list prices, but market prices of channels (100x50 mm) in Tokyo and Osaka are Yen 87,000-88,000/mt ($777-$786/mt), up Yen 1,000/mt from a month ago and up Yen 2,000-3,000/mt from February. ... (full story)