TOKYO, DECEMBER 22, 2000 ... The Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) today issued its 2001 Domestic Production Forecasts for the Japanese Electronics Industry. This Japanese-language resource includes statistics, graphs and tabular data on production estimates for 2000 and forecasts for 2001.

2000 Domestic Production Estimates
In the year 2000, the Japanese electronics industry has seen an increase in demand for equipment related to information technologies (IT), as well as a rise in exports of electronics to growing economies in Asia. As a result, domestic production by the industry is estimated to reach \25.9 trillion, a double-digit expansion of 10.1% from 1999, surpassing the record level set in 1997.

Japan's economy moved slightly in the direction of a self-sustained recovery, mainly because of upward trends in private-sector capital investment and consumer spending. Overseas, a slowdown in U.S. economic growth was seen in the second half of the year, but high consumer spending and capital investment sustained a favorable economic environment in Europe. Exports to Asian economies rose in line with the worldwide expansion in IT-related demand.

Production of consumer electronic equipment is estimated to expand 7.8%, to \2.2 trillion, led by demand for high-value-added digital products. In the industrial electronic equipment segment, 2000 production is seen increasing 4.7%, to \12.1 trillion. Behind this growth are favorable demand for IT-related products, such as PCs and cellular telephones, and equipment for high-capacity data-communications infrastructures. A 16.8% increase is anticipated in production of electronic components and devices, to \11.7 trillion, owing to expanded production of cellular telephones, PCs, other IT-related products and digital AV equipment is expected to sustain a rise in demand for semiconductors, ICs, LCDs, and passive and connecting components. Exports of electronic components and devices are also seen growing.

Forecast for 2001
Although a variety of uncertainties lie ahead in the economic environment for 2001, including the low value of the euro and the high price of oil, such factors are expected to cause little more than a slowing in overall economic growth. The potential exists for a slowdown in U.S. economic expansion, but stable development is foreseen in economies in Asia and Europe. In addition, the trend toward self-starting economic recovery is anticipated to continue in Japan. In this atmosphere, continuing demand for IT-related products, digital AV equipment, and electronic components and devices is expected to sustain a 7.1% year-on-year rise in domestic production by the Japanese electronics industry, to \27.8 trillion. Consumer electronics production is forecast to grow 7.7%, to \2.3 trillion, backed by stable demand for digital cameras, car navigation systems, LCD televisions and other video products, and by expanded demand for digital televisions. On the other hand, audio equipment production will remain sluggish, owing to the high ratio of overseas production. Production of industrial electronic equipment is anticipated to advance 3.7%, to \12.5 trillion, with stable expansion throughout the segment. Demand for IT-related products, including PCs and next-generation cellular telephones (IMT-2000), is expected to increase, as is demand for electric measuring instrumentation, particularly electric measuring equipment for semiconductors and ICs. In the electronic components and devices segment, production is forecast to increase 10.5%, to \12.9 billion. Double-digit growth is foreseen in electronic devices production, mainly owing to demand for discrete semiconductors, ICs and LCDs. Electronic components production is also seen rising, sustained by a double-digit increase in connecting component demand, and a near double-digit advance in passive component demand.

Note:

The Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) was inaugurated on November 1, 2000, through the merger of the Electronic Industries Association of Japan (JEITA) and Japan Electronic Industries Development Association (JEIDA).

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Production Results, Estimates & Forecasts for the Japanese Electronics Industry

The Japanese Electronics Industry in 2000 and 2001

2000 PRODUCTION ESTIMATES

Outlook for 2001