Japan Rolled Copper Shipment Rises 7 Straight Months

Japanese rolled copper shipment increased by 48.2% to 72,283 tonnes in May from a year earlier, which increased for 7 months in a row, according to Japan Copper and Brass Association. The demand continued increasing for connector and semiconductor. The shipment for refrigerator turned to upward due to the firm demand of air conditioner.

The domestic rolled copper shipment increased by 44.4% to 57,328 tonnes in May from a year earlier, which showed year-on-year increase for all 14 applications. The shipment to connector was 10,244 tonnes, which showed the highest increase at 87.5% due to the increase in digital appliances demand.

The shipment to semiconductors increased by 63.2% to 4,084 tonnes in May from a year earlier, which topped the yearly record of 4,073 tonnes in March.

The export increased by 64.7% to 14,955 tonnes in May from a year earlier when copper sheet, strip and phosphor bronze shipment increased due to the growing automobile and digital appliances demand in Asia.