Japan: SUS304 stainless steel plate prices rise on stronger mill pricing …

• • Prices rise on steady demand from semiconductor sector

• • Nickel-based plate sales remain stable m-o-m in Jun’26

Japan’s stainless steel plate market strengthened in the week ended 4 August 2026 as SUS304 thick and medium plate prices increased by JPY 20,000/t ($126/t), supported by higher mill prices and steady demand from the semiconductor sector. Market participants reported that distributors have gradually raised resale prices to reflect higher procurement costs from domestic producers.

Current market levels for SUS304 cut plates (4-side milled, 7 mm and above) were heard at around JPY 750,000/t ($4,752/t), while hot-rolled plates (3-6 mm hot-cut sheets) were assessed at approximately JPY 650,000/t ($4,119/t).

Demand from semiconductor manufacturing equipment remained supportive, with distributors reporting steady cargo movement despite variations in order intake across the market.

According to the National Stainless Steel Thick Plate Shearing Industry Association, sales of nickel-based hot-rolled stainless steel plates in the Kanto and Niigata regions stood at 2,741 t in June, broadly unchanged from the same month last year. While demand for standard plates and fixed-length products improved, shipments of plasma laser-cut and sheared products declined.

Outlook:

Japan’s stainless steel plate market is expected to remain firm in the near term, supported by higher mill pricing and resilient demand from the semiconductor sector. However, buying activity is likely to remain selective, with market participants closely monitoring downstream industrial demand and alloy price movements.

Note: This article is published as part of a content exchange agreement between JapanMetalDaily and BigMint.