Japanese rolled aluminium import totaled 57,101 tonnes for January-June 2011 and expanded by 67.8% from the corresponding period of 2010, according to Japan Aluminium Association. The import increased mainly for common grade aluminium foil and extrusion from Asian countries. Strong yen trend also seems to have stimulated the import to Japan.
Domestic demand for instant and retort foods sharply increased after the Japan Earthquake. Then demand for aluminium foil package increased. Aluminium foil import increased since the price is cheaper than domestically manufactured foils. Import of aluminium extrusions and flat products, such as bars and shape materials, seems to have increased mainly for common grade products used for constructions. Meanwhile, yen exchange rate strengthened even more after the mega earthquake and stimulated the import. By countries, the import from China was 23,912 tonnes and represented 42% in the total import. The import was 12,534 tonnes from South Korea, 7,864 tonnes from the U.S.A., 2,984 tonnes from Germany and 2,692 tonnes from Taiwan. The import from China doubled from 11,549 tonnes in the same period of 2010. The import from South Korea jumped by around 30% year-on-year. The import from Asian countries showed significant increase.