ASUKA ALUMINIUM NEWS NO.660 JUNE 2016
Production of secondary aluminum alloy dwindles in F 2015
On May 17, the Japan Aluminum Alloy Refiners Association revealed the total
production and the total shipment in fiscal 2015, started in April 2015 and ended inMarch 2016. According to the announcement, the total production dwindled 4.7 percent from the previous fiscal year to 776,115 ton, and the shipment also shrank 4.9 percent year on year to 785,920 ton.
Both tonnages showed year-to-year decline and fell below the 0.8 million ton mark,which is the first time in past four years. The previous year below the 0.8 million ton
mark was in 2011, when we experienced great two natural disasters, the huge earthquake in Northeastern Japan and the long-term flood in Thailand.
It is said that the reasons of stagnation in fiscal 2015 are the effect of increased
consumption tax, the decreased output of mini-car and the brisk import of Chinese
made aluminum allo y ingot.
The classified shipment showed that all sections decreased except extrusion. The
main demand, for diecast and cast, dwindled under the standstill production of automobile. The market of sheet was excellent supported by brisk coffee can, but thedemand of recycled UBC ingot decreased under the lower primary aluminum market.
As the effect, a lot of UBC scrap was exported to Korea
The demand for extrusion was brisk brought by a good number of houses underconstruction. Contrarily, the steel production remained low and the demand for steel
mill plunged.
The table on page one shows the production and shipment of secondary aluminumalloy in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015, in which from top total production, total shipment
and classified shipment – diecast, cast, sheet , extrusion, steel and alloy smelters. The
bracketed shows the comparison percentage with the previous fiscal year.
Monthly productions of aluminum alloy and steel kept watch
The Japan Aluminum Alloy Refiners Association recently revealed the monthly
production of aluminum alloy in March, which rose 2.5 per cent from the same month
last year to 66,890 ton, and this monthly increase marked for the first time in 18months.
At the same time, the total shipment of aluminum alloy in March increased 1.2 percent from a year earlier to 69,189 ton、and this increase of shipment was for the firsttime in 26 months.
Besides, the total crude steel production in April was released by the Japan Steel
League on May 20. According to this announcement, it showed a 1.2 per cent increase
from a year earlier, and was 8.498 million ton. This increase of year on year production
marked for the first time in 20 months.
Most people don’t think the domestic steel market improves these days, however inSouth Eastern Asia, the market improves by the production curtailment of Chinesesteel mill.
The metalmen watch these indexes for glad tidings.

Toyohashi Univ. of Technology develops new Mg alloy
Toyohashi University of Technology, Aichi Prefecture, recently disclosed that they
developed a next generation’s new magnesium alloy, which has very high strength
without high priced rare earth metals.
Professor Hiromi Miura revealed that this new magnesium alloy will be marketedsoon cooperating with Kawamoto Heavy Industry Corp.
The Nihon Keizai Shinbun reported on May 23.
The 42nd. general meeting of JARA
JARA opens on May 17
On May 17, the 42nd. general meeting of the Japan Aluminum Alloy Refiners Association was held at Kazankaikan in Tokyo, at which Mr. Takaaki Yamamoto,President of Daiki Aluminum Corporation, was elected as new chairman. At the sametime, Asuka Industries, Inc. President Takashi Amano was re-elected as an executive
director.
At the meeting, Mr. Goji Matsukawa was awarded the Aiji Takahashi Prize, which
was originated by the late Aiji Takahashi’s donation in 1979, and since then theassociation honors some excellent employees every year
After the meeting, one hundred attendants, association members and guests frombusiness bodies, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and media, enjoyed a grandparty.
The upper photo on page three is Mr. Goji Matsukawa.
Nishio Combustibles Safety Association celebrates commendation ceremony
The Nishio Combustibles Safety Association always practices various safety
campaigns against inflammable risks at private business cooperating with the Nishio
Fire Station.
On May 20, the 55th.annual general meeting of the association was held at theResort Links in Kira Waikiki Beach, Mikawa Bay national Park, where the association
celebrated commendation ceremony. Asuka was elected as the best company of safety
policy, and President Takashi Amano received an award as the below photo on page
three.
Unexpectedly, Mr. Mikio Matsuzaki, Chairman of the association, and President
Takashi Amano were classmates at Tokyo University of Science.
Mt. Sangane Hydrangea Festival in June
The automobile road of five kilometer between Nishio City and Katahara Spar issurrounded by 70,000 stems of hydrangea, which blossoms are in full bloom
throughout June every year.
In this season, many visitors enjoy the whole mountain covered with hydrangea
various colorful blossoms, and at the same time enjoy an excellent birds eye view ofMikawa Bay. Throughout June,” Mt. Sangane Hydrangea Festival” is held, andvarious joyful events are going to be arranged.
The photo on page four is hydrangea blossoms and birds eye view of Mikawa Bay
from top of Mt. Sangane.