THE international air-cargo business is soaring as Japanese consumer-electronics makers step up export of parts and equipment to overseas plants, and the strong yen boosts imports of finished goods, according to the Nikkei Weekly .
The volume of air cargo that arrived at Tokyo's Narita airport in the first half to September was 20 per cent higher year-on-year.
The industry expects cargo demand will continue to grow for some time, keeping freight rates high.
Exports through Narita in the first half rose 18.9 per cent compared to the same period last yearto 186,329 metric tonnes, while imports grew 21.2 per cent to 190,157 tonnes, according to a survey conducted by Tokyo Air Cargo City Terminal.(Tact).
The company handles air cargo at the airport.
Tact attributes the rise in exports to a surge in shipments of parts for computers, electric appliances and precision instruments.
Japanese manufacturers with overseas plants continue to keep high-tech production in Japan.