Japan Copper Rolled Products Export Increases in Sep

Japanese copper fabricated products export increased by 6% to 21,351 tonnes in September from a year ago, according to Japan Copper and Brass Association. The export of copper alloy strip and cadmium-free brass bar seemed to increase for Asia due to active demand in the area. The export for China especially increased much, while it decreased for South Korea and Taiwan.

For China, Japanese brass bar export more than doubled to 1,033 tonnes and phosphor bronze strip increased by near 30% to 678 tonnes in September from a year ago. Copper alloy strip demand seemed to expand for connector pin and lead frame in China when production bases of Japanese automobile makers and electric appliance makers kept high operations in the country. Cadmium-free brass bar demand also seemed to increase for export products from China to Europe after Restriction of Hazardous Substances was carried out in European Union in July 2006.

Japanese copper fabricated products export for South Korea continued to decrease from a year earlier since June 2006. Copper tube export almost halved in September from a year ago, though phosphor bronze strip and copper strip increased.

See the attached table.