JAPAN DATA: Shipments of audio visual consumer electronics in the
domestic market fell 5.8%% on year to Y216.0 billion in May, posting the
fifth consecutive monthly y/y drop, data released by the Japan
Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association show. But
the y/y decline in May shrunk, compared with -13.5% in April and -24.3%
in March, thanks to strong demand for TVs. Sales of TVs rose 28.0% y/y
in May, posting the second gain, following +24.3% in April. An
association official said the negative impact of the March 11 disaster
has disappeared from TV sales.