JAPAN DATA: Shipments of home electric appliances in the domestic
market fell 4.1% on year to Y267.2 billion in July, posting the first
decline in four months, following +8.3% in June, +13.3% in May and
+19.7% in April, data released by the Japan Electrical Manufacturers’
Association show. In July, shipments of air conditioners, which
accounted for about 46% of the overall shipments in the month, fell 5.9%
on year, showing the first fall in 14 months. The average temperature in
July was lower than a year before, when extreme heat waves brought about
record high summer temperatures in many regions and boosted shipments of
air conditioners by 24.3% y/y.