Japan Copper Alloyed Products Import Hits Record in F2006

Japanese import of copper alloyed products increased by 2% to 51,340 tonnes in fiscal 2006 ended March 2007 compared with previous year, according to Japan Copper & Brass Association. The import volume hit record since fiscal 1989 when the present statistical method was adopted.The import of copper tube increased by 21% to record 13,126 tonnes in fiscal 2006 from fiscal 2005 while the import of brass tube expanded to 1,149 tonnes or 2.3 times as much as fiscal 2005. Chinese copper and brass tubes seemed to be adopted into air conditioners’ outdoor condensing units more than Japanese copper tubes with an advantage in cheaper price.The import of phosphor bronze sheet and strip increased by 18% to 5,699 tonnes in fiscal 2006 from fiscal 2005, copper strip by 2% to 4,934 tonnes and the other sheet and strip by 6$ to 1,473 tonnes. Japanese domestic demand was active for copper and copper alloy sheet and strip in fiscal 2006 and the imports increased mainly for low grade products.On the other hand, the brass bar import decreased by 22% to 1,696 tonnes in fiscal 2006 from fiscal 2005 which had expanded since fiscal 2004. Japanese brass bar import is mostly from South Korea. Demand for South Korean brass bar decreased in Japan since South Korean makers could not provide closer services for product quality and delivery services than Japanese makers. Higher exchange rate of won also impacted brass bar export from South Korea to Japan.South Korea was the largest exporter of copper alloyed products for Japan at 17,958 tonnes in fiscal 2006. However, the volume decreased by 14% from fiscal 2005 and accounted for 36% in Japanese total copper alloyed products import in fiscal 2006 while 42% in fiscal 2005. The import from China increased by 43% to 17,077 tonnes in fiscal 2006 from fiscal 2005 which approached South Korea. The import of low grade products, mainly copper tubes, increased from China.