TOKYO -- Japanese production of aluminum mill products increased for the 12th consecutive month in April to 204,880 tonnes, up 1.2 percent from a year earlier, according to the Japan Aluminium Association.
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April production of flat-rolled products remained unchanged from last year at 116,040 tonnes, with a high level of domestic demand offset by a drop in exports due to the weaker dollar. But extrusions production increased for the sixth consecutive month to 88,840 tonnes--up 2.7 percent from last' year--thanks to strong demand from the semiconductor, office equipment and automotive industries.

The association said that production of foil soared to a new April high of 12,342 tonnes, up 2.2 percent from a year ago, bolstered by strong market demand for use in capacitors.