Japanese Cu Rolled Products Shipment Downs by 7.4% in F2009

Japanese copper and copper alloy fabricators’ shipment totaled 752,864 tonnes in fiscal 2009 ended in March 2010, decreasing by 7.4% from fiscal 2008, according to Japan Copper & Brass Association. The shipment has recovered for connectors and semiconductors since April 2009 thanks to the upturn in the market of digital appliances and automobiles. Meanwhile, the shipment maintained stagnant for domestic construction market. The annual shipment represented below 1 million tonnes for 3 straight years.

The shipment decreased by 9.7% to 608,435 tonnes for domestic market while increased by 4% to 144,429 tonnes for export in fiscal 2009 compared with fiscal 2008. Offshore demand for digital appliances has recovered mainly along Chinese government’s economic stimulus measures since April 2009. Japanese export of copper strip, phosphor bronze sheet and strip increased.