Japan Aluminium Product Output and Shipment Down in 2007

Japanese domestic production of aluminium manufactured products decreased by 4.1% to 726,920 tonnes in 2007 from 2006 while the shipment downed by 4.3% to 778,100 tonnes, according to quick estimation by Japan Aluminium Products Association. Both production and shipment decreased due to demand decline for construction materials after the revision of Japanese building standard law in 2007.The production and shipment continued to represent year-to-year decrease for daily goods in 2007. The production and shipment for industrial applications kept almost flat thanks to firm demand for vessels and vehicles. Demand for construction materials remarkably declined in 2007 mainly for sashes. The output and shipment slightly recovered and showed year-to-year increase for castings in 2007, while the sales continued decreasing for ladders and stepladders. For anodic oxide coatings, the shipment slightly decreased year-on-year.