ASUKA ALUMINIUM NEWS NO. 648 JUNE 2015
Production of secondary aluminum alloy in fiscal 2014
The Japan Aluminum Refiners Association recently revealed the total production
and the total shipment of secondary aluminum alloy in fiscal 2014, started in April
2014 and ended in March 2015. According to the announcement, the total output
dwindled 3.1 per cent from the previous fiscal year to 814,670ton, and the shipment
also dropped 2.9 per cent to 826,050ton .
The increased consumption tax brought the lower sales of automobile and houses,and moreover the import of alloy ingot made in China increased. The classified
shipment shows that all sections except for steel decreased. Main demand for diecast
and cast dropped with the decreased auto production. The sheet made a good fightthanks to popular coffee can, but the lower housing starts by increased consumption
tax affected extrusion. The steel showed only one increase with thriving export
supported by lower yen
The table on page one shows the output and shipment of secondary aluminum alloyin fiscal 2014, in which from the top, total production, total shipment and classified
shipment - diecast, cast, sheet, extrusion, steel and alloy smelters.
The bracketed shows the comparison per cent with the previous fiscal year.
Can to can season has comeThe higher the temperature gets, the more the beverage consumption swells after
Golden Week in early May. And also the more used beverage aluminum can originates.
Every year from June till October, our can recycling business turns to busy time.
In 2015 the consumption of aluminum beverage can is predicted 21.7 billion can,the highest record, by the Aluminum Can Recycling Association. So our can recycling
will supposedly be pretty busy this season.
Traditionally in Japan, the market of coffee can has been kept by steel strongly,
however the Japan Coca Cola started to market aluminum can coffee switching withsteel can last year, and the aluminum can has been so favorable that its market will
increase more this year. The sheet producers have a big expectation against thismarket.
The photo on page one is a pile of used aluminum beverage can.
The 60th anniversary of Japan Diecast Association
On May 21, the 60th anniversary of Japan Diecast Association was held at the Hotel
JAL Tokyo in Tokyo, and the 190 guests and members celebrated the anniversary andenjoyed a generous dinner party. At the anniversary, Chairman of the association, Mr.
Arata Takahashi, President of Ahresty Corporation, addressed significantly as follows.
Looking back those days we started 60 years ago, the yearly production of diecast inJapan was 6,000 ton only in 1955. Since then our industry has been growing steadily,and in 2005 it marked 1.16 million ton, the highest.
Then we experienced some hard days, the Lehman Brothers’ shock, the greatearthquake in northeastern Japan and extreme higher yen. In these years, the yearlyproduction is moving sideways at one million ton.
I heartily wish that everyone of diecast users understands the synthetic power ofJapanese diecast industry well and keeps demand at home with the expansion of usage.
As the providers of parts, Japanese diecasters have contributed to various industries,automobile, electric appliances and other various fields, and in the future, we want tomake more efforts to study new technology aiming for new demands.
I never think our way will be uneventful, but our integrated great experience,engineering and reputation, will overcome the all difficulties.
Lastly, I express a great thank you for your good understanding and warm back up ,and at the same time, would like to have your greater support in the future.
School recognition for used aluminum can collection
The Aluminum Can Recycling Association, Chairman, Mr. Keiichi Shirai, Director of
Universal Can Corporation, has rewarded some leading schools which contributed
used aluminum can collection every year since 1973. The association recently opened
the proposal of recommendation for 2015 as follows.
(1) target: elementary school and junior high school (2) closing date: July 31
Asuka Industries, Inc. is appointed as a recommender by the association, and thisis one of the best opportunities to campaign aluminum can recycling.
The 41st. general meeting of JARA opens on May 21
On May 21, the 41st. general meeting of the Japan Aluminum Refiners Association
was held at Kazankaikan in Tokyo, where Mr. Satoru Kitayama, President of S. S.
Aluminum Corporation, was elected as new Chairman.
After the meeting, Miss Ayumi Tani was awarded the Aiji Takahashi Prize, which
was originated by the late Aiji Takahashi’s donation, and then the association honors
some excellent employees every year.
At the same time, Mr. Yuhei Kamiya got the certificate of smelting engineer fromthe association. Congratulations on both your big efforts. The photo on page three isMr. Yuhei Kamiya, President Takashi Amano and Miss Ayumi Tani from left.
Nikichi Festival is held on June7
Nikichi was a macho man born in Kira Nishio City, and sprinted in the end of Edoera. In 1865, he helped his friendly group at strife without regard to his success. As theresult his group won but he was fatally shot when 28 years old. Every June, Nikichi
Festival is held at Gentokuji Temple at Kira cerebrating his chivalry.
A big group dancing show and some entertainments are held at the temple. The
photo on page four is Nikichi’s statue owned by Kira Public Library.
The Japan of today
Government’s debt hits new record
Central government debt swelled to a record high ¥1,053 trillion as of March 31, up
2.7% from a year earlier, the Ministry of Finance reported on May 8. It totals¥8.3million in deb t for every man, woman and child in Japan.
Regrettably, I t is thought that the debt will swell year by year in the future.