Aluminum demand, copper output in Japan jump to year's highest

Aug. 27 (Bloomberg) -- Aluminum shipments and copper product output in Japan jumped to the highest level this year as the global economy recovered from the worst slump since the Great Depression. Supplies of aluminum rolled products to the domestic and export markets gained 5.1 percent in July from June to 166,673 metric tons, the most since October, the Japan Aluminium Association said today. Copper and alloy product output rose 6.1 percent to the highest level since November, the Japan Copper and Brass Association said. Aluminum has gained 20 percent and copper has more than doubled on signs the world economy is emerging from recession as record-low interest rates and trillions of dollars in fiscal stimulus spur demand. Japan’s economy grew for the first time in five quarters in the three months to June 30.