Japan Rolled Copper Output Rises by 5.9% in June

Japanese rolled copper output increased by 5.9% to 91,610 tonnes in June from a year earlier, which increased for 6 months in a row, according to Japan Copper and Brass Association. The output increased for copper strip, brass bar and phosphor bronze sheet and strip when the demand apparently recovers for semiconductor, machinery and building. However, the copper bar output decreased for 12 months in a row and brass tube output decreased for the first time in 2 months.The copper strip output increased by 6.9% to 23,220 tonnes in June from a year earlier. The output reached 23,000 tonnes for the first time in 5 years and 7 months when the demand was firm for automotive terminal connector, terminal connector for digital appliances and semiconductor.The brass bar output increased by 10.4% to 22,015 tonnes in June from a year earlier. The demand was firm for connector, building applications and semiconductor along with automotive applications.