According to data released by Japan’s Ministry of Finance, Japan’s exports of stainless steel flat products totaled 60,891 tons in May, falling by 4.2% from a month ago and decreasing by 3.5% year on year.

In the first five months of this year, the country’s exports of stainless steel flat products amounted to 307,437 tons, decreasing by 8.2% year on year.

In the given period of time, Korea was the largest importer of Japanese stainless steel flats with 69,502 tons, decreasing by 10.4%; Taiwan was the second largest one with 54,347 tons, jumping by 32%, both compared to the figures in the same period of a year ago.

Meanwhile, Japan’s output of stainless steel flats totaled 231,000 tons in May, up by 0.7% from a month ago.