Global Electronics Production Up by 7% in 2008

Japan Electronics & Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) announced on 19 December that global production of electronics and information technology industries is estimated to become 243.32 trillion yen per annum in 2008, up by 7% from the estimated production of 2007. The production of electronic equipment, such as digital home appliances, is forecasted to increase by 6% year-on-year in 2008, to 120.54 trillion yen, while electronic components, devices and semiconductors to increase by 8% to 68.86 trillion yen thanks to the global demand growth for digital appliances mainly in emerging countries.Global demand for flat panel display televisions is expected to increase in 2008 when Beijing Olympic will be held. Global production of display devices is estimated to grow up by 13% year-on-year in 2008, to 12.8 trillion yen, with the demand expansion for notebook computers and cellular phones as well as televisions.Global production by Japanese electronics and IT companies is expected to hit 50 trillion yen for the first time in 2008, up by 6% from the estimated production of 2007. The production of electronic equipment is forecasted to increase by 5% year-on-year to 26.74 trillion yen while electronic components, devices and semiconductors to increase by 7% to 19.97 trillion yen.Japanese companies’ domestic production is forecasted to increase by 3% year-on-year to 21.3 trillion yen in 2008. In 2006 the domestic production had recovered to above 20 trillion yen for the first time since the collapse of IT bubble 5 years ago. The domestic production is expected to keep the steady growth in 2008. The production of electronic equipment would increase by 1% year-on-year while electronic components and devices by 5%.