The investigation follows an April 28 petition filed by Nippon Steel Corporation, Nippon Steel Coated Sheet Corporation, Kobe Steel, Ltd., and Yodogawa Steel Works, Ltd. The petitioners claimed they were forced to cut prices due to weak domestic demand and a surge in low-priced imports.
Hot-dip galvanized steel is used in construction for metal products exposed to weather conditions. METI clarified that products from Hong Kong and Macau are excluded from the investigation.
In July, Japan had also opened an investigation into imports of nickel-based cold-rolled stainless steel sheets and strips from China and Taiwan.
METI and the Ministry of Finance plan to complete the investigation within one year and decide whether to impose anti-dumping duties.
Tadashi Imai, Chairman of the Japan Iron and Steel Federation and also President of Nippon Steel, stressed that the investigation is being conducted independently and fairly, in accordance with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. He added that unfair import practices beyond the products under investigation will continue to be monitored, and the government will be consulted on additional trade measures if necessary.
Imai also warned that rising global protectionism could leave Japan vulnerable to cheap steel imports, potentially harming domestic production.
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