TOKYO, Aug. 27 -- Japanese shipments of aluminium products rose 7.8 percent in July from a year earlier to 179,619 tonnes, industry data showed on Friday, underpinned by demand from the automobile sector.

Exports to China and Southeast Asia remained robust, also supporting aluminium shipments, data provided by the Japan Aluminium Association showed.

July shipments were down 0.2 percent from June and about 87 percent of levels two years ago, before the global economic slump of late 2008 led automakers and other manufacturers to slash output and cut demand for the metal.

Demand has largely been boosted by a revival in the automobile sector, but the pace of recovery this year is still unclear as the construction sector remains weak and shows no signs of picking up, industry officials have said.

Aluminium is widely used in products ranging from computers, planes and electronics to the food sector.

Reflecting a cautious outlook, aluminium stocks inched up last month.

Aluminium stocks at three major Japanese ports rose 3.3 percent at the end of July from a month earlier to 208,200 tonnes, although industry officials said the level was within a reasonable range.