Reuters reported that Japan's exports of refined copper rose 26% in December from a year earlier aided by 40% jump in cathode sales to China.

Ministry of Finance data showed that exports of refined copper which includes cathode and billet totaled 39,309 tonnes though they were down from the previous month's 46,278 tonnes.

A robust expansion in exports to China, the world's top consumer of the metal, slowed from the previous month's 100% jump but volume stayed at a high level due to improved arbitrage buying at London Metal Exchange copper prices and selling at Shanghai prices.

China's refined copper imports rose 18.3% in December on the month to a record high also due to increased use of copper for financing purposes, according to the General Administration of Customs data announced this month.

Demand for copper, found in industrial products ranging from cars to computer chips, is seen as a gauge of economic activity. China, Taiwan and Indonesia are the key export markets for Japanese copper.

(Sourced from Reuters)