Japanese domestic production of aluminium architectural materials increased by 5.4% to 24,706 tonnes in July from a year earlier while the shipment increased by 3.1% to 29,069 tonnes, according to Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry. New housing starts has gradually recovered in Japan while rush demand seemed to occur for new housing starts in July before the governmental incentive program for environmental friendly houses expires.
Production and shipment of aluminium sash for wooden houses represented year-to-year plus for 3 months in a row. The production temporarily turned year-to-year decrease in March and April when several sash makers were hit by the Japan Earthquake. In and after May, the production shows a gradual recovering curve. Japanese new housing starts increased by 21.2% to 83,398 houses in July from a year earlier, according to Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism. The figure hit the fifth lowest as July but exceeded 80,000 houses for the first time since December 2008. Consumer mind has generally upturned while there seemed a movement to accelerate new housing starts in July when Japan Hosing Finance Agency’s fixed-rate mortgage program and Japanese government’s incentive for environmental friendly houses expire. Production and shipment of aluminium sash for buildings also represented year-to-year increase, mainly led by the rash demand as same as aluminium sash for wooden houses. Condominium sales has not been strong as expected since mid May.