Japan Copper Rolled Product Import Decreases in F2007

Japanese annual import of copper rolled products decreased by 2.5% to 50,057 tonnes in fiscal 2007 (Apr07-Mar08) from fiscal 2006, according to Japan Copper & Brass Association. The import kept the high volume while represented year-to-year decrease for the first time since fiscal 2001. The import ratio of South Korea rose up while that of China downed.The import of copper based products decreased by 20% to 16,830 tonnes in fiscal 2007 from fiscal 2006. Especially copper tube import decreased by 19% to 10,661 tonnes, which hit 19-year high in fiscal 2006. Domestic demand for copper tube declined due to the slowdown of new housing starts after the start of Japanese new building standard law.The import of brass based products showed year-on-year increase. Especially brass strip import increased by 23% to 15,649 tonnes in fiscal 2007 from fiscal 2006, 70% of which was shipped from South Korea. Japanese copper fabricators increased copper alloy strip output for automobiles in fiscal 2007. Domestic output of brass bar seemed to decrease as a result.The import volume was the largest from South Korea followed by China, German, Taiwan and North America. The import ratio of South Korea rose by 2 percentage points to 37% in fiscal 2007 from fiscal 2006 thanks to the import increase of brass bars. The import ratio of China downed by 1 point to 34% due to the import decrease of copper tubes.