Nippon Steel announces it will be postponing the acquisition closing of U.S. Steel

Nippon Steel announced Friday that it would postpone a planned closing date for its $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel.

"Following receipt of the Second Request and following careful deliberation with respect to the regulatory processes, Nippon Steel revises the estimated date of closing of the Transaction," the Japanese steelmaker announced. 

This decision comes after the Department of Justice requested documents related to the purchase, according to The Hill.

Nippon in December reached an agreement to purchase U.S. Steel, resulting in criticism from American lawmakers. CEO David B. Burritt said that the purchase would make the steel industry stronger.

This follows the approval of the acquisition by the U.S. Steel shareholders in mid-April.