ASUKA ALUMINIUM NEWS NO. 640 OCTOBER 2014
Technical seminar “Auto and aluminum” is held
Seeking lighter, safer and more comfortable automobile, the aluminum consumption for automobile has increased year by year, and moreover in the future, the growthof aluminum consumption is hopefully expected today.
Under the circumstances, a technical seminar “ Auto and aluminum” is going to beheld by the Aluminum Association on November 25 at the Kyurian room in Shinagawa
Civic Center in front of Oumori JR station Tokyo.
This seminar is projected under sponsorship of eight aluminum, magnesium andautomobile technics bodies, and the program is as follows.
(1) 9:30 greetings(the recent tendency between automobile and aluminum)
Mr. Kohji Ichiya, UACJ Corporation(2) 9:50 Toyota’s development for fuel-cell powered vehicle
Mr. Kohichi Kojima, Toyota Motor Corporation(3) 10:40 aluminum sheet for automobile
Mr. Takeo Sakurai, Kobe Steel, Ltd.
(4) 11:25 aluminum extrusion for automobile
Mr. Tetsuji Yanagimoto, Mitsubishi Aluminum, Ltd.
(5) 13:00 aluminum cast for automobile
Mr. Toru Komazaki, Ryobi, Ltd.
(6) 13:45 aluminum diecast for automobile
Mr. Shigeru Takeda, Ahresty Corp.
(7) 14:40 aluminum welding for automobile
Mr. Mihaya Imamura, Kobe Steel, Ltd.
(8) 15:25 aluminum surface treatment for automobile
Mr. Takahiro Koyama, UACJ Corporation(9) 16:10 questions and answers with all instructors
The association started to accept the application, and the fee is ¥10,000 and ¥4,000for students. The information and application are welcomed by the Aluminum
Association4 – 2 – 15. Ginza Chuuou-ku Tokyo 104 – 0061
Tel 03 – 3538 – 0221
Fax 03 – 3538 – 0233
Aluminum cast and diecast production favorable in JulyThe Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry recently revealed the production ofaluminum cast and aluminum diecast in July. According to the report, the productionof aluminum cast in July rose 2.8% from a year earlier to 38,830 ton, and that ofaluminum diecast increased 2.8% to 91,100 ton.
Comparing with the same month a year ago, the aluminum cast showed the first increase in past four months. The diecast increased successively for three months.
On page two chart, from left July, June and comparison with a year ago. From top
cast totaled, machines, cars, others, diecast totaled, machines, electric appliances,automobile, motorbike and others.

”Metal Osaka” is held
In April the first exhibition “Metal Japan” was held in Tokyo, and next, “MetalOsaka” was held on September 24 ~ 28 at the Intex Osaka in Suminoe Osaka, whereI,160 producers and traders displayed their newest products and technical services ofall metals, copper, aluminum, special steel and rare metals.
There were two keynote addresses as follows.
“High function aluminum products”
Mr. Shigenori Yamauchi, Chairman of UACJ Corporation“Environmental-friendly copper alloys”
Mr. Hideaki Horiyama, Director of Mitsubishi Elongation, LtdBoth speeches reached the hearts of a large audience. The organizer, LeadExhibition Japan Ltd., said the total visitors to this exhibition amounted 43,000.
U.S. dollar hits six-year high against yen
The U.S. dollar rose to six-year high of ¥109.46 on September 19 in Tokyo, reachinglevels unseen since the collapse of Lehman Brothers Holding Inc. after the U.S.
Federal Reserve raised its outlook for the trajectory of its key interest rate.
The yen fell as Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda reiterated comments onmoney easing. On the other hand at Tokyo Stock Market, the Nikkei stock index rose
to a record high in this year.
The lower yen has various impacts against our economic activities and civil life. We
import most materials, fuel and foods, all which go up prices as high as U.S. dollar, andbring the increase of costs and the shrinkage of consumption.
Regarding aluminum business, all primary aluminum and silicon metal are imported, and the impact of lower yen is worried.
The left chart on page three shows the movement of yen against U.S. dollar, above,and the Nikkei stock index at Tokyo Stock Exchange, below. The right chat shows thechange rates of some currencies for past one month. From left U.S. dollar, pound,Indonesia rupiah, Korea won, Euro, Australia dollar, Brazil real and yen.
.
The Japan of today
The Mount Ontake eruption
The Mount Ontake, straddles Gifu and Nagano prefectures, abruptly erupted
around noon on September 27, and since then the eruption activity goes on actively.
When the volcano erupted, the area near its 3,067 meter peak was crowded with some
300 climbers who had come to see the tinted autumnal leaves.
A great volume of hot volcanic ash and cinders left at least 51 climbers confirmed
dead and dozens more injured.
The search and rescue has involved about 1,000 police officers, fire fighters andSelf-Defense Forces personnel, however the activity has been sometimes interrupted
by the dense volcano gas, gummy wet ash and bad weather at the peak area.
The Meteorological Agency has been watching Mount Ontaka by using a system tomeasure changes in its shape as well as a clinometer, seismograph and a camera withtelescope, but the prediction of eruption was impossible. It has reminded us that Japanis indeed a country with many volcanoes that could erupt unexpectedly.