Japan’s production of caustic soda fell 15.6% in December to 340,669 tonnes compared with the same month in 2007. The country exported 69,657 tonnes of caustic soda in December, a 21.9% decrease year on year, the Japan Soda Industry Association (JSIA) said. Production of soda ash fell 8.2% to 36,024 tonnes in December, while exports of soda ash declined 4.4% to 198 tonnes.