Japan Electric Cu Wire & Cable Shipment Increases by 2.5% in February

Domestic shipment of electric wires and cables by approximately 130 members of Japanese Electric Wire & Cable Makers’ Association (JCMA) increased by 2.5% to 59,400 tonnes in copper volume in February from a year earlier, announced by JCMA on Monday. The shipment for automobile makers hit more than 7,000 tonnes for the first time since November 2008. Meanwhile, the shipment was low for power companies, electric appliance and machine industry. As for optical fiber products, the shipment in January represented more than 3 million kilometers of fiber core (kmc) for seven straight months. The export kept high level.

Copper wire and cable shipment for automakers, mainly automotive wiring harness significantly increased in February thanks to Japanese government’s new subsidy program for environment friendly cars. The shipment for constructions and related wholesalers keeps stable at around 25,000 tonnes per month. The shipment seems to be active for both large building projects and small-lot sales for dealers.

Meanwhile, the shipment for domestic power companies represented the lowest volume as February in 35 years. Japanese power companies have shrunk capital expenditures for power transmission and distribution infrastructures since fuel costs have expanded due to suspensions of atomic power plants. The shipment for electric appliances and machines hit the second lowest volume as February in 35 years. The demand seems to be weak along with global deterioration of electronic appliance market.

As for optical fiber products, the export increased by 48.3% to 2.357 million kmc in January from a year earlier, which kept year-to-year plus for seven straight months. The shipment for domestic market decreased by 16.3% to 708,749 kmc, year-to-year minus for seven straight months.