Japan Cable Market Price Keeps Flat

Market price of construction power cable keeps flat around Tokyo. The price is around 1,220-1,245 yen per meter of cut length for 3-core 600 volt CVT (triplex type of XLPE cable) with 38 square millimeters of copper cross section and around 41-42 yen per meter for 2-core 600V VVF (vinyl insulated vinyl sheathed flat-type cable) with 1.6 mm diameter.Domestic official price of copper ingot was revised down by 60,000 yen per tonne on 11 March and by 50,000 yen on 18 March. Price hike for minor items such as VCT-F (300V vinyl cabtire ellipse cable) would not be approved by users, though cable makers and dealers try to raise the selling price. Easy supply is a negative factor for the hike as well.Some of Japanese major cable makers started shipment for super-large construction projects around Osaka in March, including Sakai works of Sharp Corporation. Cable shipment would peak around May-June of this year. However, supply tightness might not refer to dealers’ spot and small-lot market.As to VVF, cable dealers say electric distributors seem to hold surplus inventories. VVF shipment is impacted by slower starts of one-unit housings and condominiums in Japan due to new Japanese building standard law.