Dec. 25 (Bloomberg) -- JFE Steel Corp., Japan’s second- largest maker of the metal, said it will suspend the operation of a blast furnace in western Japan for maintenance.

Operation of the furnace would be suspended in January, the unit of JFE Holdings Inc. said in a statement released at an industry press club in Tokyo today.

To contact the reporter on this story: Masumi Suga in Tokyo at msuga@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: December 25, 2008 01:03 EST