Japan Sept copper exports fall 11.1 pct yr/yr

TOKYO, Oct 29 - Japan's refined copper exports fell 11.1 percent in September from a year earlier to 37,603 tonnes, with nearly half going to China, Ministry of Finance data showed on Thursday.

Copper is used in many goods including utensils, construction materials and computer chips, and is often seen as a gauge of economic activity.

Exports fell 19 percent from August, as demand remained weak due to an uncertain outlook for the global economic recovery.

China accounted for about 48 percent of the exports, below an earlier peak near 60 percent. Demand from Taiwan made up 25 percent, while South Korea held about a 6 percent share of Japanese exports. These countries are the key markets for Japan's copper.

For a graphic on Japan's copper exports, click: http://graphics.thomsonreuters.com/109/JP_CPREXP1009.gif

The Japan Copper and Brass Association said earlier this week that Japan's output of rolled copper product fell 17.4 percent in September on a seasonally adjusted basis from a year earlier, reflecting sluggishness in the overall economy which offset a partial recovery in metals demand.

Separately, the Japanese Electric Wire and Cable Makers' Association's data last week showed that copper wire and cable shipments also fell 17.4 percent in September from a year earlier.

Following are refined copper and copper cathode exports (in tonnes):

Sep 09 Aug 09 Sep 08 Jan-Sep 09 Jan-Sep 08 Refined 37,603 46,493 42,279 508,200 301,925

(including cathode) Cathode only 34,092 44,132 39,023 479,305 277,752