JAPAN has requested consolations with China and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over anti-dumping measures imposed on its stainless steel products since 2019, the Geneva-based body said on Tuesday.

Japan claims the measures in question, imposed by China's Ministry of Commerce, on steel billets, hot-rolled coils and hot-rolled plates, appear to be inconsistent with various provisions under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), 1994 and the Anti-Dumping Agreement.

The move comes after Tokyo has repeatedly asked Beijing to remove the measure through bilateral talks.

"China failed to provide any reasonable explanation and analysis of how and to what extent the prices of the like domestic products were affected, given the situation that the prices of subject imports were generally significantly higher than those of the like domestic products," said Japan.

The request for consultations formally initiates a dispute in the WTO which may last up to 60 days. Consultations give the parties an opportunity to discuss the matter and to find a satisfactory solution. If they fail, the complainant may request adjudication by a panel.