Export of iron from SE Asia

[Mark]

Originally Posted by Andrew

I'm suprised learn this, Mark. I assumed that, given the poor quality of Japanese iron "sand", and the laborious tecniques employed to make homogenous steel, that exporting iron wouldn't be a big industry. Did they export refined iron, or just ore?

It does seem unusual, but the records are there. Bronson's conclusion is that the Japanese were simply very efficient in their smelting methods and were able to produce quantities of iron (and steel) more cheaply than local SEA producers. China was very much the dominant producer, but Japan was a net exporter, so they were at least producing a surplus.