TEPCO, a Japanese power supplier announced that it will increase its electricity prices for corporate clients by an average of 17% to cover higher energy costs for the use of thermal power plants while the firm idles many of its nuclear power facilities. The Japan Copper and Brass Association diapproves of the move, which it says would add ¥1.2 - 1.3B/y in production costs at the affected brass mills. The 23 copper product fabrication sites within the TEPCO supply area account for 43% of total copper semis output in Japan.