Nippon Steel (5401 JT) offers a JPY 10k base pay increase vs. union's JPY 15k demand and total wage hike offer is 5.3%, while JFE Steel (5411 JT) and Kobe Steel (5406 JT) offers are below union wage demands

• JFE Steel offers JPY 7k base increase and 5% wage hike, while Kobe Steel offers JPY 13k base increase and total wage hike of about 6.1%.

Nippon Steel's initial offer, while an increase, falls short of the union's request, suggesting potential tensions in labor negotiations which could impact operational costs. The comparatively lower wage increases from JFE and Kobe Steel also indicate a cautious approach to wage hikes within the sector, potentially keeping margins intact but risking labor unrest.