The Japanese government determined that imported steel products from Korea and China constitute unfair low-price sales (dumping).
According to Kyodo News on the 24th (local time), Japan's Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry concluded that Korean and Chinese steel products are harming domestic industry through dumping and will consider imposing anti-dumping tariff.
The products the Japanese government tentatively judged to constitute dumping are hot-dip galvanized steel sheets and coils used for guardrails and dwellings building materials, among other purposes. Korean products were reportedly sold in Japan at prices up to 43% lower than in Korea, and Chinese products at prices up to 69% lower than in China.
Earlier, in April last year, four Japanese steelmakers, including Nippon Steel and Kobe Steel, requested an investigation, saying they were being harmed by Korean and Chinese products. In response, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry launched an anti-dumping probe in August of the same year.
Whether the Japanese government will impose an anti-dumping tariff is expected to be decided within this year. Katayama Satsuki, Japan's finance minister, said at a news conference after the Cabinet meeting (cabinet council) that day, "We will continue the investigation to reach a final decision."