ASUKA ALUMINIUM NEWS NO. 639 SEPTEMBER 2014
Mr. Minoru Kondo 51st Asuka Seminar’s speaker
It has been revealed that the 51st Aｓuka Seminar is going to be held on October 3and 4 at the Kira Kanko Hotel, and recently the speaker and the subject of seminar
were fixed and released as follows.
speakerMr. Minoru Kondo
President, Nishio Shinkin Bank
subject
Functions of financial system for small and medium enterprises
The Nishio Shinkin Bank were established in Nishio City, and have just 100 years
history. Today their 45 branches open throughout Aichi Prefecture, and do businessvery actively and firmly. Mr. Minoru Kondo has an excellent insight on business
management, and all we expect his informative views.
After the seminar, a grand party in traditional Japanese fashion will be held tointerchange business views frankly among guests, and at the same time to enjoy anautumn night soaking a hot spring thoroughly.
The second day, a golf competition is arranged at the Kira Country Club in themorning for golf devotees. Right now we are accepting the registration and expect
many players will attend and enjoy the competition,The photo on page one is the Kira Kanko Hotel.
Aluminum market still strong
In the end of July the aluminum market price at London Metal Exchange rebounded and marked $2,000s, the highest in 17 months, and then the market keeps at$2,000 – something in August.
They say it is due to the fact that the major primary aluminum refiners reduce
their production, because it is unprofitable. However we think the market is afraid forthe lookout of Ukrainian disturbances. Day by day, the economic embargo against
Russia is escalating.
In fiscal 2013, Japan imported 210,474ton of primary aluminum and 277,763ton of
secondary aluminum from Russia, both which occupied very big parts in our importedmaterials. We believe that the spiral increase of reciprocal actions on world trading
has not any profit against any country.
Aluminum diecast production firmly in June
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry recently revealed the production of aluminum cast and diecast in June. According to the report, the productionof aluminum cast decreased 0.1% from a year earlier to 35,231 ton, and that ofaluminum diecst rose 5.6% to 84.019 ton.
The production of aluminum cast was almost same level compared with theprevious year, but that of diecast improved favorably. Its major demand, for automobile
and motorbike, mounted. In the chart on page tow, from left June, May and comparison with a year ago. From top, cast totals, machines, cars, others, diecast totaled,machines, electric appliances, automobile, motorbike and others,

Mr.Katsumoto’s big celebration party is held
In spring Mr. Kiichi Katsumoto, President of Akuro Nainen Limited,Wakayama
City, had the distinction of being presented the Emperor and was awarded Sun RisingMedal.
He has strived to improve local industry and society intensely for a long time, andgained such a glory. His celebration party is going to be held on September 26 at theHotel Granvia in Wakayama City very grandly, and so many guests will celebrate hisgreat feat.
The AkuroNainen Limited is one of the oldest Asuka’s customers, and all of Asuka
congratulate him on his honor.
Hawaiian Festival at Kira Waikiki BeachOn August 25 ~ 30, the Hawaiian Festival was held at Kira Waikiki Beach Nishio
City, where Hawaiian pro dancers team from Polynesian Culture Center performed
their proper Hula, and at the same time 1,000 dancers of Japanese pro and amateur
enjoyed Hula performance themselves with so many spectators to the full.
The photo on page four is the stage of Hula shows.
Conpany news
On July 28 ~ 31 we received two students for internship from Nishio Kakujogaoka
High School. Mr. Akihide Kimura, right in the photo on page three, and Mr. Takuro
Sugino, left, experienced various actual job trainings at each section with us
The Japan of today
Births fell 2.7% in first half 0f 2014
The number of babies born in Japan in between January and June dropped 2.7 percent from a year earlier to 496,391, suggesting the annual figure might slip below the 1
million mark for the first time on record, government data shows.
Although the number of births tends to be brighter in the latter half of the year, thefigure in the first six months was 13,980 fewer than last year’s 510,371, the healthministry said on August 26 in a preliminary report.
The number of babies born in June was almost flat compared with last year, but thefigure was 2,000 to 3,000 less in each month from January to May, it said.
Lifting casino ban could be dangerous gamble
Japan is moving closer to legalizing casinos. A bill calling for lifting the ban on suchgambling establishments, proposed by a cross-partisan group of lawmakers, may beapproved by parliament in autumn, and many local governments have expressedstrong interest in bringing in slots and tables.
Proponents say casinos would reinvigorate the economies of host areas and attract
foreign tourists. Anticipating that the proposed legislation will be approved, thecentral government plans to draw up a concrete plan to have casinos up and running intime for the 2020 summer Olympics in Tokyo.
But opponents warn of the dark side of casinos. Such places, they say, give rise togambling addiction, have a negative influence on younger people, attract gangsters
and facilitate money laundering. Most Japanese must have a great concern.