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Although the decade-long economic slump continues, Japan
remains an economic powerhouse, and this is reflected in die
casting production. In 2000, an estimated 771,000 tons of
die castings were shipped. The large auto industry consumes
about two thirds of the total.
The country contains at least 200 die casting plants, and
in 1994 there were reported to be about 9,000 cold chamber
and 4,000 hot chamber machines in operation. Despite the underlying
strength of the economy, there is a trend away from heavy
industry growth, driven by high costs relative to neighboring
Asian countries, and a declining birth rate. The Japanese
have been successful in transplanting industry, including
die casting, to other countries. As of 1998 there were at
least 30 overseas die casting plants, including nine in the
U.S., six in Thailand, and four in the Philippines.
Among the larger die casting companies in Japan, Ahresty,
with headquarters in Tokyo, operates seven plants across the
country and including one in the U.S. Another important company
is Ryobi,
said to the largest die casting manufacturer in Japan, with
a share of total market of 10%. In addition to plants at Hiroshima
and Saitama, there is a large operation in the U.S.
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