Japan launches anti-dumping probe into cold-rolled steel from S.Korea, China, Taiwan

Kobe Steel

01/06/2026 07:27

    TOKYO, June 1 (Reuters) - Japan has launched an anti-dumping investigation into cold-rolled steel coil, sheet and strip from South Korea, China and Taiwan, the Japanese trade and finance ministries said on Monday.
The probe follows a request in February to impose anti-dumping duties on the goods that was submitted by top Japanese steelmakers Nippon Steel 5401.T, JFE Holdings' 5411.T JFE Steel and Kobe Steel 5406.T, the ministries said.
Cold-rolled steel products are characterised by a smooth surface and used in a variety of manufacturing applications such as auto parts, home appliances and battery cases, according to the ministries.
The investigation will in principle conclude within one year and help the Japanese government decide whether to impose anti-dumping duties on the goods in accordance with international rules under World Trade Organization agreements as well as domestic laws, the ministries said.
"The Japanese steel industry will fully and appropriately cooperate with the investigation," said Masayuki Hirose, chairman of the Japan Iron and Steel Federation. "In response to the sharp increase in steel exports from China driven by excess capacity, a growing number of countries and regions have implemented trade remedy measures ... the need for appropriate trade remedy measures has become increasingly urgent," he wrote in a statement released on the group's website.
Japan last year launched anti-dumping probes into stainless steel sheets from China and Taiwan as well as hot-dip galvanised steel from China and South Korea.

 (Reporting by Kantaro Komiya; Editing by Jamie Freed)
 ((kantaro.komiya@thomsonreuters.com; X: @kantarokomiya;))