Japan Copper Alloy Product Shipment Decreases for 5 Months

Copper alloyed product shipment decreased by 8.2% to 83,895 tonnes in Japan in June from a year earlier, including domestic demand and export, according to Japan Copper & Brass Association. The shipment represented year-to-year decrease for 5 straight months when both domestic demand and export declined from a year ago.Copper alloyed product shipment for domestic market was 68,683 tonnes in June, down by 7.5% from a year earlier. Connector pin materials such as copper strip and brass strip decreased due to the slow market of personal computers and cellular phones. For transporting machines, the shipment decreased in brass bar for radiators and copper alloy strip for automotive connector pins. The shipment for semiconductor related usages, including copper alloy strip for lead frames, represented year-to-year down after 2 months.Copper alloyed product export was 15,212 tonnes in June, down by 11.2% from a year earlier. The export showed year-to-year decrease for the first time in 2 months. Brass bar, phosphor bronze sheet and strip especially decreased.