Japan Copper Electric Cable Shipment Reviewed to 666,000T for F2010

Japan Electric Wire & Cable Makers’ Association announced on Wednesday the association reviewed Japanese domestic shipment of copper electric wire and cable to 666,000 tonnes of copper for fiscal 2010 ending in March 2011 from previously forecasted 661,000 tonnes. The shipment was previously forecasted to decrease by 0.2% against fiscal 2009 while the latest forecast suggests the shipment increases by 0.5% and represents first year-on-year plus since fiscal 2006. Optical fiber product shipment for domestic market was reviewed down to 7.45 million kilometers of fiber length (kmf).

The association reviewed copper wire and cable shipment forecast for electric appliances and machines to 167,000 tonnes from previous 154,000 tonnes. The shipment would increase by 10.7% against fiscal 2009. The main factor is that the shipment in the first half year (April-September 2010) is estimated to increase widely to 87,000 tonnes from previously forecasted 76,000 tonnes. The shipment is steady for automotive components, flat televisions and heavy electric machines.

On the contrary, copper wire and cable shipment forecast was revised down for constructions and related wholesalers. The shipment is now forecasted to decrease by 3.2% to 265,000 tonnes in fiscal 2010 compared with fiscal 2009 due to weak construction activities in Japan. The shipment for automobiles was reviewed down to 71,000 tonnes, slightly increasing by 0.1% from fiscal 2009, due to the end of Japanese government’s stimulus program for eco friendly cars.

Optical fiber product shipment is expected to decrease by 0.7% from the previous forecast and by 4.5% from fiscal 2009. The demand would maintain weak in domestic market when the number increase of subscribers for FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home) service recently slows down.