Japan Cu Electric Wire Shipment Rises Slightly in F2011

Japanese Electric Wire & Cable Makers’ Association announced on Friday around 130 members’ shipment is quickly estimated to have increased by 0.3% to 685,020 tonnes in copper volume in fiscal 2011 from fiscal 2010, which would increase for 2 years in a row. The shipment for domestic power companies hit 35-year lowest. The aluminium wire shipment decreased by 13.2% to 35-year lowest of 23,487 tonnes.

The copper wire shipment increased for construction and automobile in fiscal 2011 from fiscal 2010. The construction demand increased after the major earthquake and recovered in second half of fiscal 2011. The automobile demand recovered in the second half. The demand for power decreased when power companies reduced the capital expenditure to cover higher energy cost.

The members’ shipment is quickly estimated to have increased by 5.9% to 59,500 tonnes in copper volume in March from a year earlier. The shipment for automobile would reach 7,000 tonnes for 2 months in a row. The shipment for construction hits first decrease in 8 months.

Actual shipment of optical fiber products hit record 4.013 million kilometers of fiber core (kmc) in February, which exceeded former record of 3.837 million kmc in March 2008. The export hit first 3 million kmc. The domestic shipment also reached 900,000 kmc for the first time since December 2010.