Japanese Optical Fiber Shipment Hits Record High in Fiscal 2009

Japanese domestic electric wire and cable shipment decreased by 12.7% to 662,472 tonnes in copper volume in fiscal 2009 ended March 2010 from fiscal 2008, which represented the second worst record after fiscal 1975 according to report on around 130 members of Japanese Electric Wire & Cable Makers’ Association. The optical fiber products shipment increased by 16.1% to 35.955 million kilometers of fiber core, which renewed the record of 31.849 million kmf in fiscal 2007 due the export increase.

The annual shipment of optical fiber products was more than 30 million kmf for 3 years in a row since fiscal 2007. The export increased by 26.5% to 27.944 million kmf in fiscal 2009 from fiscal 2008 while the domestic shipment decreased by 9.9% to 8.011 million kmf. The demand was strong in China and the export to the country would increase in fiscal 2010.

The electric wire and cable shipment significantly decreased for construction in fiscal 2009 from fiscal 2008. The shipment of insulated wire and cable decreased by 11.3% to 128,649 tonnes in copper volume while the shipment for power declined by 17.2% to 224,717 tonnes. Around 80% of the shipment of insulated wire is linked to construction while more than 60% of power usage is construction related applications.

See an attached table.