Japan Output of Rolled Copper Products Increases in 1H

Japanese production of rolled copper products increased by 5.3% to 517,803 tonnes in April-September 2006 from the same period of 2005, which exceeded 500,000 tonnes for the first time in 2 years, announced by Japan Copper and Brass Association. The production much increased for brass rod, phosphor bronze sheet and strip thanks to actual demand recovery in various usage fields, both of which represented large part of total production.The rolled copper products demand declined in April-September 2005 due to inventory adjustment in digital appliances and semiconductor markets. The production was 491,973 tonnes in the period. After the adjustment phase finished at the end of 2005, rolled copper demand gradually recovered for not only electric appliances but capital investment relations, metal parts for water faucet and stationeries.The demand totally keeps steady at present, while there is some mood to enter adjustment phase for automobiles. The monthly production of copper rolled products kept increasing from a year earlier for 9 months in a row.