Japan March aluminium shipments -35.8 pct yr/yr

TOKYO, April 28 (Reuters) - Japanese shipments of aluminium products fell 35.8 percent in March from a year earlier to 124,248 tonnes, data issued by the Japan Aluminium Association showed on Tuesday. In February, shipments fell 38.7 percent from a year earlier to 112,991 tonnes, the lowest level since January 1983, as falling demand led to a buildup in stocks and forced manufacturers, notably automakers, curb production. The association also said shipments of aluminium products fell 11.8 percent to 2.03 million tonnes in fiscal 2008/09 ended in March. It was the lowest tonnage since 1987/88. Demand for the metal, used in packaging and transport, has plunged as the financial crisis caused demand to shrink, leading to a buildup in stocks and forcing manufacturers, notably automakers, curb production.