Japan Rolled Copper Shipment Drops by 4.5% in 2007

Japanese rolled copper shipment decreased by 4.5% to 1.003 million tonnes in 2007 from 2006, which is first drop in 2 years, according to Japan Copper and Brass Association. The demand was slow for connector and semiconductor in first half and very slow for building in second half while the buyers minimized the purchase volume with surging copper ingot price. The domestic shipment decreased by 4.8% to 815,125 tonnes in 2007 from 2006. The shipment for connector decreased by 1.7% to 137,360 tonnes due to slow demand for personal computer and cell phone in the first half year. The shipment for semiconductor decreased by 2.9% to 53,435 tonnes due to slow demand for standard products including discrete. The shipment for refrigerator dropped by 6.2% to 86,218 tonnes in 2007 from 2006 due to lower shipment for showcase. The shipment for gas equipment decreased by 13.7% to 48,153 tonnes when new law allows brass valve replacement in every 3 years compared with former 5 years. The shipment for construction decreased by 16.9% to 13,768 tonnes with very slow building activity after new building standard low started in June. The export shipment decreased by 3.4% to 188,284 tonnes in 2007 from 2006 due to higher yen rate.