Japan Copper Alloyed Products Output Increases in Dec

Copper alloyed products output increased by 6.8% to 87,880 tonnes in Japan in December 2006 from a year ago, including domestic demand and export, according to Japan Copper and Brass Association. The monthly output increased from a year earlier for 12 months in a row. The output maintained high for copper strip, phosphor bronze sheet and strip.Copper strip output increased by 5.4% to 17,170 tonnes for domestic demand and by 19.4% to 6,100 tonnes for export in December from a year ago. The demand maintained active for lead frame and connector pin, while the semiconductor related demand became slower in domestic market. The export was steady for Southeast Asia and covered the domestic demand decline.Brass bar production increased by 8.1% to 20,098 tonnes for domestic demand while decreased by 17.6% to 1,260 tonnes for export in December from a year ago. Domestic demand was totally active for automobile, water tap, gas appliance and air conditioner. Domestic brass bar makers had fewer orders in December when the users expected brass bar price could decrease more watching downtrend of copper price. The makers anticipate the demand could recover after copper price became stable.Copper tube production increased by 9.6% to 10,866 tonnes for domestic demand while decreased by 6.8% to 3,831 tonnes for export in December from a year earlier. The demand of high-value-added tube increased for high functional air conditioners made in Japan. The output also increased for boiler.