Japanese annual import volume significantly expanded for cathode copper, rectified zinc and refined lead in 2011 from 2010, according to the trade statistics by Ministry of Finance. Japanese nonferrous metal smelters, traders and consumers expanded the import volume for several months after the Japan Earthquake in March 2011 since several domestic smelters and refineries were forced temporary output suspension due to damages by the mega earthquake.
Japanese annual import of cathode copper hit the highest volume since 2001. The monthly import was more than 10,000 tonnes in April-August. Annual import of rectified zinc hit the highest volume since 2000. The monthly import marked 29,792 tonnes in April, which was twelve times of a year earlier and higher than the annual import volume in 2010. Refined lead import represented the highest since 2008. On the other hand, annual import volume of primary aluminium decreased in 2011 from 2010 when domestic demand sharply decreased after the mega earthquake along car makers’ output reductions. The monthly import of aluminium alloy also decreased after the Japan Earthquake while upturned in and after August thanks to car production recovery and strong yen trend. Import volume of copper scrap and copper alloy scrap totally decreased in 2011 along copper alloy fabricators’ inactive operations.