Construction Power Cable Demand Weakens in Japan

The market price of mid- and small-size construction power cable keeps flat with potential decrease in Japan. The price is around 1,155-1,185 yen per meter of cut length for 3-core 600 volt CVT (triplex type of cross-linked polyethylene insulated and vinyl sheathed cable) with 38 square millimeters of copper cross section and around 42-43 yen per meter for 2-core 600V VVF (vinyl insulated vinyl sheathed flat-type cable) with 1.6 mm diameter.Japanese major cable makers said their construction cable shipment was favorable in October, almost as much as a year earlier, but became lower than the every autumn demand level in and after November. One of Japanese largest cable makers explained the shipment decreased by above 10% in October-November compared with the corresponding months of last year.One maker said the shipment declined for both large contractors and wholesalers while another said the shipment for wholesalers maintained as flat as a year earlier. Wholesalers explained their construction cable shipment is not largely decreasing other than VVF cable.Construction cable shipment hasn’t been impacted so much yet by the revision of Japanese building standard law. Cable makers and wholesalers expect the shipment might decrease significantly for condominiums around February-March 2008.