Japan Copper Wire and Cable Shipment for Constructions Hits Bottom

Japanese domestic shipment of electric wire and cable was quickly estimated at 61,000 tonnes of copper in September, increasing by 5.2% from a year earlier, according to a survey on approximately 130 makers those who belong to Japanese Electric Wire & Cable Makers’ Association. The shipment for domestic constructions and related wholesalers is estimated to represent year-to-year plus for 2 months in a row. Meanwhile, the actual shipment of optical fiber products decreased by 8.6% to 2.69 million kilometers of fiber core (kmf) in August from a year earlier, which represented year-to-year minus for 3 straight months.

Copper wire and cable shipment for domestic constructions and related wholesalers represented year-to-year plus in August after 23-month minus. The shipment is expected to keep year-to-year plus in September. Wire and cable demand seems to have hit bottom, following the recovery of new housing starts or other concerned figures.

Copper wire and cable shipment for automobiles, electric appliances and machines would keep year-to-year plus for 10 straight months by September. The demand maintained steady from automobile and consumer electronics makers. However, it is unforeseeable whether the demand sustains the level or downturns in and after October when Japanese government’s stimulus program ended for eco-friendly cars and some electronic products entered adjustment phase.

Copper wire and cable shipment for domestic power companies is estimated to represent year-to-year minus for 4 straight months. Meanwhile, the volume is stable thanks to power companies’ investment for power transmission and distribution network renewals.

As to optical fiber products, the actual shipment for export decreased by 13.2% to 2.02 million kmf in August from a year earlier, year-to-year minus for 3 months in a row. On the other hand, the shipment for domestic market increased by 8.8% to 665,441 kmf and represented first year-to-year plus in 5 months.