ASUKA ALUMINIUM NEWS NO. 619 JANUARY 2013
Greetings for 2013
Takashi Amano, President
Allow me to wish you a very Happy New Year for 2013. Following my usual custom,I am taking the opportunity to send some of my recent thoughts together this New
Year’s greeting
Every year end, one written character to typify the social situation is selected,
which in 2012 was that for “gold”. I suppose that the selector would connect theLondon Olympic with gold medals.
Regrettably, I don’t remind any golden events except the London Olympic throughthe year. Regarding “gold” in 2012, the heavy and dark cloud of excessive National
Debt veiled many countries, and it depressed the world economy. Above all, the worst
country is Japan, which debt is topping at 1,000 trillion yen.
Papers and commentators criticize many foreign countries’ debts, but I am anxious
for ourselves. A 95 per cent of Japanese government bond is held by domestic banks
and investors today. Although this is a very special condition, we have to admit
seriously that we are up to our ears in debt.
At our industrial world, some electric appliance producers, leading companies inJapan, are in thick of their difficulties. The Panasonic wants to decrease 40,000 ofemployees within coming two years, or the Sharp revealed the massive displacementof 10,000 employees within coming three months
The evaluated yen and the inconsistent economic policy of Democratic Party ofJapan drove out many producers to overseas during past three years. This year, we,active industrial companies, expect that the new government, Liberal Democrat Partyelected in December, would show us the brighter way to the future.
It has passed a half year since we have removed to new site, and the traffic condition has improved greatly. Both the road situation and our yard-furnaces-warehousesystem have notably bettered. Being an active company, we would like to contributefor saving energy and resources more and more with a great support of our all
business contacts.
Again, heartfelt best wishes for New Year 2013.
Aluminum can for wine receives a favorable
The Daiwa Can Co., Ltd. recently revealed that they prospected at first their
aluminum can shipment for wine would be 1 million in fiscal 2012, started in April2012 and ends in March 2013, but the actual shipment would reach 2 million cansupported by the unexpected favorable sales to wine breweries.
Especially, the aluminum can for sparkling wine meets a very favorable reception,and it would mark 0.5 million can , which was marketed in November 2012.
Aluminum can is of course lighter and stronger than glass bottle, and the Daiwa
Can wants to promote sales against wine breweries both at home and overseas. Today,
most wine drinkers seem to be agreeable to aluminum can steadily. Therefore it isthought the future of aluminum can for wine is eminently hopeful. The photo on page
two is Petit Monteria Sparkling wine, Monde Brewery, marketed in December 2012.

China cuts export duty of silicon metal
The most important additional metals for aluminum alloy is silicon metal, and amajor aluminum alloy for diecast contains 10 – 13 per cent of silicon, most which ismade in China. Conventionally, Chinese government has taxed 15 per cent of export
duty on silicon metal, but recently Chinese traders revealed the export duty will beabolished in New Year.
The custom clearance of silicon metal in Japan;
2010
monthly averaged
17,900 ton
2011monthly averaged
19,060 ton
2012
Jan. – Sept. averaged
16,260 ton
October only
11,700 ton
Like above the import tonnage decreased sharply, and it is supposed that Chinese
government wants to prop up home silicon smelters, or wants to contain some newsilicon smelters in South Eastern Asia.
Mikawa Comic celebrates New Year
Mikawa Comic is one of the New Year events in Nishio area, and it has been playing
every January since 1250 years ago. It has declared an intangible cultural asset by
Japanese government in December 1995.
The photo on page three is the stage show of Mikawa Comic, and everyone realizes
the New Year has come enjoying this classic performance.
Company news
We received a delightful number of greeting cards from various countries’ friends,
and since then they have been displayed in our dining hall as the photo on page three.
We enjoy them very much. Thank senders ever so much!
On December 28, a staff convivial meeting was held, at which 9 full attendances
below were awarded. Mr. Bunji Yamauchi, Mr, Takatoshi Suzuki, Mr. Norio Nagata, Mr. Yasuhiko Nagata, Mr. Tomohiro Tomatsu, Ms. Manami Kameyama, Ms.
Ayumi Tani, Ms. Yaeko Inagaki and Mr. Yasuhiro Kiguchi. Congratulations!
The 29th. New Year praying meeting is held on January 18 at the Kira Kanko Hotel,
photo on page four, and Kannonji Temple. Every arrangement of our one of the biggest
annual events completed, and all we have to do is welcome guests.
Japan of today
LDP regains sheets
The conservative Liberal Democratic Party has regained power with a landslide
victory in the general election for the lower house held December 16. The combined
sheets of the LDP and its smaller ally, New Komeito, exceeded the 320 needed for atwo-thirds majority in the 480-member chamber. The Democratic Party of Japansuffered a drubbing of historic proportions.
LDP President Shinzo Abe is set to be the prime minister, ending the DPJ’s 39
months of government. But on the backside of this massive victory was a low voter
turnout, which was 19 percentage points or so below the 69.28% seen in the lastgeneral election in August 2009. It acctually represents DPJ defeat, not LDP victory.