Japan GaAs, GaP and InP Shipment Shrinks in F2008

Compound semiconductor shipment by Japanese major makers totaled 36.9 billion yen through fiscal 2008 (Apr08-Mar09) which annually decreased by 28%, according to Japan Manufacturers’ Society of Compound Semiconductor Materials (JAMS-CS). The demand dropped in the second half year because of global economy deterioration. The shipment declined for all major materials including gallium arsenide (GaAs), gallium phosphide (GaP) and indium phosphide (InP).

GaAs shipment decreased by 29% to 27.7 billion yen in fiscal 2008 from fiscal 2007. The demand declined from both domestic market and export. In the first half year, the shipment lowered by 9% year-to-year. In the second half year, the shipment almost halved from a year earlier due to inventory adjustment caused by economy downturn.

GaP shipment decreased by 36% to 5.4 billion yen in fiscal 2008 from fiscal 2007. The export value shrank to a third of in the second half year from a year earlier. Domestic shipment also declined. InP shipment decreased by only 5% year-to-year through fiscal 2008. The shipment increased for domestic market.

According to applications, the shipment decreased by 32% to 13.2 billion yen for light emitting diodes (LEDs) and by 26% to 5.1 billion yen for infrared LEDs in fiscal 2008 from fiscal 2007. The shipment decreased by 39% to 5 billion yen for laser diodes and by 19% to 10.3 billion yen for electronic devices.