1. Boxed out.
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CARDBOARD , *CONTAINERS , *INTERNATIONAL trade - Abstract
Discusses how cardboard is in short supply in Japan. In Japan, China's insatiable demand for raw materials is now endangering the most vital commodity in retailing: the cardboard box. Once blamed for exporting deflation to Japan, China is now charged with causing the recent surge in the prices of nickel, plywood and other commodities. Japanese cardboard-makers are reluctant to match these prices and have opted to lower production instead. Still, after another hike in procurement costs last autumn, the Japan Corrugated Association, the industry body, called on its members to start raising cardboard-box prices. Local governments, which collect waste cardboard along with other sorts of rubbish, are also affected: they find private collectors now swipe the stuff before they arrive.
- Published
- 2004