41.   The World Trade Organization ruled Wednesday that the United States had acted illegally in deciding to increase duties on Japanese steel imports.

42.   Tokyo had consistently threatened to retaliate if Washington fails to either drop the duties or compensate Japanese steel makers for their losses.

43.   Those preliminary discussions saw Japanese steel manufacturers put the case for a price reduction on the basis of the tough times Japan faces.

44.   Tokyo has threatened retaliation if U.S. officials fail to either drop the tariffs or compensate Japanese steel makers for their losses.

45.   Tokyo has consistently threatened to retaliate if Washington fails to either drop the duties or compensate Japanese steel makers for their losses.

46.   Tokyo has threatened to retaliate if the United States fails to either drop the tariffs or compensate Japanese steel makers for their losses.

47.   While negotiations with Japanese steel mills are on hold, BHP said it is continuing price talks with other coal customers in Europe and South America.

48.   Yosano said Japanese steel exports to the United States have been declining since the end of last year.

49.   He added special exclusions granted to certain types of Japanese steel were higher than for other countries.

50.   He said BHP Coal argued that supply was expected to be tighter in the year ahead as Japanese steel making enjoyed more demand fuelled by world economic growth.