TOKYO -- Japanese production of aluminum mill products in fiscal 1999 ended March 31 increased for the first time in three years, rising more than 4 percent from the previous year to 2,394,660 tonnes, according to the Japan Aluminium Association.

Production of flat-rolled products totaled 1,326,921 tonnes, up 4.4 percent from the previous year, while extrusions accounted for 1,067,739 tonnes, up 3.8 percent.

Shipments in fiscal 1999 also saw a turnaround for the first time in three years, increasing 4.2 percent to 2,408,722 tonnes.

The upturn in production and shipments resulted from a recovery of domestic market demand starting in June, the association said.

March production totaled 212,835 tonnes, a 2.5-percent increase from the same month last year and a continuous rise for 11 consecutive months. Production consisted of 120,304 tonnes of flat-rolled products (up 1.2 percent for the 12th consecutive monthly gain) and 92,531 tonnes of extruded products (up 4.3 percent, capping a steady rise for five straight months).

March shipments totaled 218,775 tonnes, up 3.6 percent from a year earlier for an uninterrupted rise for 10 months. Shipments consisted of 126,366 tonnes of flat-rolled, products (up 3.1 percent for the 5th consecutive monthly increase) and 92,409 tonnes of extrusions (up 4.4 percent).

The strongest growth in fiscal 1999 occurred in aluminum foil, where production rose 5.7 percent from the previous year to 146,068 tonnes. March production of aluminum foil totaled 13,085 tonnes, a 7.4-percent rise for a continuous 12-month gain.