Japan’s copper wire shipments edge up modestly in H1 CY’26 for first time in 2 years

• Refined copper production rises 8.2% on Tokyo smelter normalisation
• Overseas demand strengthens by 63.5% amid expanding global manufacturing

Japan’s copper wire shipments recorded a modest recovery during the first half of CY’26, rising 0.3% y-o-y to 287,921 t, marking the first increase in two years. The improvement was primarily driven by stronger export demand and steady consumption from the automotive and electrical machinery sectors.

However, the recovery remained subdued, with total shipments still at their second-lowest first-half level since 1973, highlighting the continued weakness in Japan’s domestic construction and telecommunications sectors.

According to the Japan Electric Wire Industry Association (JEWIA), shipments represent copper wire dispatched by Japanese manufacturers to both domestic and overseas customers and do not include production by their overseas subsidiaries.

Export growth offsets weak domestic demand

The recovery in H1 shipments was led by exports, which surged 63.5% y-o-y to 7,685 t as overseas demand improved. Automotive wire shipments increased 2.2% to 47,430 t, supported by stable vehicle production and demand for electrification-related components. Electrical machinery also posted a 2.5% increase to 49,909 t, while power applications rose marginally by 0.2% to 23,255 t, reflecting steady investment in electrical infrastructure.

Despite the slight improvement in overall shipments, Japan’s domestic demand remained fragile. Shipments to the construction sector, the largest consumer of copper wire, declined 1.0% y-o-y to 132,175 t, reflecting slower building activity and delayed infrastructure projects.

Telecommunications recorded the sharpest decline among major segments, falling 11.9% to 10,994 t amid subdued investment in communication networks. Other domestic applications also contracted by 11.9% to 16,474 t. The weakness across these sectors underscores the structural challenges facing Japan’s domestic economy, including an ageing population, slower housing construction and cautious capital expenditure.

Refined copper output outpaces wire demand

The weak shipment performance comes despite Japan’s refined copper production expects to rise by around 8.2% y-o-y to nearly 446,000 t during H1 FY’27 (April-September 2026), supported by the normalisation of operations at its Tokyo smelter following maintenance-related disruptions last year.

Another structural trend limiting domestic shipments is the growing overseas manufacturing footprint of Japanese wire and cable producers. Over the past decade, companies have expanded production facilities across Southeast Asia, China, North America and other regions to remain closer to automotive, electronics and industrial customers.

Outlook

Although the modest rise in H1 shipments indicates some stabilization after two consecutive years of decline, the data suggest that Japan’s domestic copper wire market remains structurally weak. Strong export growth and resilient automotive demand continue to provide support, but sustained recovery will depend on an improvement in construction activity, telecommunications investment and broader domestic industrial demand.

Meanwhile, the continued expansion of overseas manufacturing by Japanese producers is likely to keep domestic shipment volumes below historical averages even as global demand for copper products remains healthy.