TOKYO, July 24 (Reuters) - Tokyo made a preliminary determination on Friday that hot-dip galvanized steel sheets and coils from South Korea and China had been dumped in Japan, harming the profit of domestic producers, and extended an investigation by four months to December 12.
Japan launched the probe in August 2025 following a petition from Nippon Steel, Kobe Steel and two other domestic steelmakers who said weaker demand and cheaper imports had forced them to cut prices.
• Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Ministry of Finance will now allow stakeholders to submit evidence and comment on the preliminary findings before making a final duty determination.
• The investigation period, normally capped at one year, has been extended under a provision allowing extensions of up to six months.
• Hot-dip galvanized steel is used as a raw material in guardrails, housing materials, fences and components for appliances such as refrigerators.
• The investigation excludes imports from Hong Kong and Macau.
(Reporting by Chang-Ran Kim; Editing by Tom Hogue)
