Japan Electronic Materials Output 29% Y/Y Low in May

Japanese electronic materials output was 22.1 billion yen in May, minus by 29% from a year earlier, according to Japan Electronics & Technology Industries Association. The output value is recovering after severe inventory adjustment for January-March. However, the actual demand still stays low from automobiles and semiconductors.

Output value of metal materials represented 72% year-to-year minus while exceeded 1.5 billion yen for the first time since December 2008. Output value of permanent magnets showed 53% year-to-year minus. The demand maintains slow from automobiles and tooling machines.

Production of dielectric ceramics increased by 3% year-to-year. Output value of dielectric ceramic materials, including titanium oxide and barium carbonate, decreased by 39% year-to-year. Electrode materials for dielectric ceramics, such as silver, palladium and nickel, decreased by 13%.