Japan: SUS304 stainless steel bar prices steady; semiconductor demand supports market
Japan's SUS304 stainless steel bar prices remained steady w-o-w at around JPY 700,000/t ($4,385/t) after recent corrections. Price sentiment improved following selective hikes by mills, with distributors resisting discounts ahead of high-cost arrivals. Demand remained uneven across segments, with food and construction sectors subdued, while semiconductor-related small-diameter bar inquiries stayed firm, leading to tight availability in select grades.