ASUKA ALUMINIUM NEWSNO. 623 MAY 2013

Estimated aluminum demand in fiscal 2013 increases 0.4%
The Aluminum Survey Group made up of seven bodies (Light Metal Manufactures
Association, Japan Aluminum Alloy Refiners Association, Japan Sash Association,Japan Aluminum Association, Japan Electric Wire Association, Japan Diecast Association and Aluminum Can Recycling Association) revealed recently the presumptionof total aluminum demand in fiscal 2012, started in April 2012 and ended in March2013, and its forecast in fiscal 2013, started in April 2013 and ends in March 2014.
According to the announcement, the presumed demand in fiscal 2012 decreased0.2% from a year earlier to 3.897 million ton. The demand for automobile increased
3.3% year on year thanks to a helpful support program – government subsidiaries onpurchasing of environmentally friendly vehicles. Contrarily, the demand for architecture and aluminum beverage can was lackluster.
The prediction of total demand in fiscal 2013 increases 0.4% from the previous year
to 3.911 million ton. The demand for automobile decreases 3.3% year on year reflecting
the end of governmental subsidiaries sales support policy. Instead, the robust demandfor building is expected.
Notes for the table on page one, aluminum demand in F2011, F2012, F2013 and thecomparison with the previous year.
(1) sheet (car only)(5) forge (car only)
extrusion (car only)(6) electric wire (7) steel
total (car only)(8) powder (9) others(2) cast car / others / total(10) import (11) domestic total(3) diecast car / others / total(12)export (13) total demand(4) cast + diecast(14) total demand for car
New company name ”UACJ” for Furukawa Sky and Sumitomo
Last August, Furukawa Sky, the biggest aluminum sheet producer, and Sumitomo
Light Metal, the second aluminum sheet producer, revealed that the both companies
would unify on October first 2013.
Recently, the name of new company, UACJ – United Aluminum Company of Japan,
was released, and at the same time, that the new address of head office would be inTokyo Sankei Building, Otemachi Tokyo, was cleared. The new name points various
aluminum consumers in worldwide market.
In February this year, the Fair Trade Commission approved the merger in Japan.
After the approvals of foreign authorities concerned, the new company will launch in
October as scheduled.
Chairman Hisashi Amano’s happy birthday
On April 22 Chairman Hisashi Amano attained the age of full eighty-seven, and all
employees celebrated his happy birthday. They presented him a congratulatory bottleof Japanese wine and a copy of newspaper dated April 22, 1926, his birthday.
This is said eighty-eight years old congratulation , and one of the most popular andtraditional events. In Japan eighty-eight has been one of the most lucky numbers,
which has been considered the Chinese character of 88 resembles that of rice, the mostimportant and valuable crop in japan.
Interestingly, his birthday’s paper reported an administrative readjustment and alackluster silk market. The former is a quite present-day topic, and the silk industry atthat time equals just today’s automobile one as the greatest export product.
The photo on page two is Chairman Hisashi Amano embracing a congratulatory
bottle with all smiles.
Anjou Chamber of Commerce and Industry sends a study mission
There is a study group, “Salvia Group” in Anjou Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the group has been organized by young executives from various type ofbusiness to study better management.
On April 11, the top of the group, Mr. Yasutoshi Nawa, and12 members visited
Asuka to study environment and resources problems. President Takashi Amano
explained his business activity briefly, and answered some questions
Then they intriguingly looked around a plant tour. The photo on page three isPresident Takashi Amano and group members.
Company news
Carp streamers swim vigorously above our plant as the photo on page four shows.
One of the joyful events in May is Tango-no-seku, or Boys’ Festival observed on May5th. We hoist carp streamers hoping for our boys’ healthy future. As such May 5th. is a
National Holiday – Children Day.
Nishio Labor Standard Association gave honor prizes to Miss Mai Kawakami andMiss Ayumi Tani as excellent workers at the Association’s general annual meeting onApril 23. Congratulations!
Welcoming new joiners, we went on a bus excursion to Hirugami Spar on April 21
and 22. On the way, we dropped some parks and sightseeing spots in Gifu Prefecture
and Nagano Prefecture, both which are mountainous area in central Japan. We
enjoyed many early spring sceneries, flowers and blossoms everywhere we visited. Thenext issue will report some memoirs.
The Japan Aluminum Alloy Refiners Association is going to hold the 40th. Anniversary on May 17 at the Daiichi Hotel Ryougoku, Tokyo, on May 17, at which
President Takashi Amano receives an award as a long service executive for theassociation. During his tenure the aluminum business experienced so eventful age, acheckered transition.
The Japan of today
Abenomics
The Prime Minister Abe’s policy, so called Abenomics, is highly thought of by major
newspapers today. Surely, our stock market has been robust. However, our labormarket and retailers’ competition are still faced an uphill struggle.
Besides, the devaluation of yen is bringing the price up on various materials. The
future of our economy is never expected so smooth.