Artificial intelligence is driving the copper price to soar, with the metal value of a 10-yen coin surpassing its face value.

The Japanese 10 yen coin is mainly made of copper, and with the AI boom driving up copper prices, its metal value has exceeded its face value. According to the latest public data from JX Advanced Metals, Mitsui Kinzoku, and Mitsubishi Materials, approximately 95% of the 10 yen coin is copper, 4% is zinc, and 1% is tin. Based on the benchmark price used by the Japan Exchange, the total metal content is valued at approximately 10.4 yen. Japan relies on imports for its copper concentrate, making the domestic industry particularly sensitive to fluctuations in the global market. The domestic benchmark copper price from JX Metals has risen by 56% in the past year as of May. Local media in Japan have reported a surge in water meter theft cases this year, believed to be targeting the copper alloy components in the equipment. Thieves have reportedly broken into apartment buildings and stolen hundreds of water meters in multiple cities across Japan.