ASUKA ALUMINIUM NEWS NO.655 JANUARY 2016
Greetings for 2016
Takashi Amano, President
It is a great pleasure to extend to one and all our most cordial greetings of the New
Year, 2016. In keeping with custom, kindly allow me to make a few remarks as theNew Year begins.
*Alcoa,a major primary aluminum smelter, declared the shutdown of their Massena
West Smelting Plant in New York State to prevent a red ink increase, Reflecting thisdeclaration, Governor of New York State stated, “New York State wants to support$70million for keeping their operation during coming three years. I understand well
the sluggish aluminum market, but the secureness of employment is our greatest
target.” The Reuters reported above on November 26.
The struggling Chinese economy and the problems of excessive investments affectworse world economy in the New Year. Anyone could not foresee such a Chinese shock,however I expect that Chinese economy will take large next steps in the near future.
Thanks to the lower energy and resources markets, Japanese economy enjoys
considerably. Contrarily, the export countries of energy and resources are confrontedwith severe problems, and we must pay attention over them in the New Year.
Besides, in the Middle East states, the political unstable has continued, and theconfusion by the Islamic State’s activities expands to whole world. As a result, thepeople’s anxiety invites stronger power of the Right parties or radical nationalismparties. I think it is one of the greatest problems in the New Year.
*In 1989, an American movie “Back to the future the second” looked beyond theworld in 2015, last year. Today we are very much surprised to know fantasy things in1989 have been realized around us today.
Handless and wireless videogame, 3D movie, handy tablet computer, TV meeting,wide screen TV, multiple channels TV and others.
Today, furthermore various machines and systems having artificial intelligence aredeveloped. Most automobile and electric appliances are evolving into our daily life withsuch the newest systems.
In the New Year, I am anticipating meeting various daring new products, but I
think they always must be human-oriented one.
*
10 years ago, Kyoto Protocol could not have all countries’ agreement, and “COP 21”
Paris Agreement was adopted with all countries after a long work last year.
However, Asuka decided to practice Kyoto Protocol ourselves at our new plant, andwe could decrease 35% of carbon dioxide exhaustion in 2013 from our old plant.
Besides in 2014, we decreased 9% of gas consumption from a year ago, and in the New
Year, we are going to cut down 5% of gas consumption from the previous year.
*In the New Year, all staff and I strive to keep up the quality of products and service,and at the same time, would like to wish you great success and good health heartily.

Testimonial from OISCA
For many years Asuka has supported OISCA, the Organization for Industrial,
Spiritual and Cultural Advancement –International, and On December 16, Mr. Akira
Muramatsu, Manager of Central Japan Training Center of OISCA, visited Asuka topresent a testimonial.
At OISCA training center, so many hopeful foreign youths have studied and trained
Japanese agricultural engineering and Japanese culture. Today at many developing
countries, they are actively working and contributing for their countries or societies.
The photo on page two shows Mr. Akira Muramatsu and President Takashi Amano
having the testimonial at Asuka head office.
Mikawa Comic celebrates the New Year
Mikawa Comic is one of the New Year events in Nishio area, and it has been performing every January since 750 years ago. It has declared an intangible cultural asset
by Japanese government in December 1995.
There are some stories of origin, and the most predominant history is the tradition
of Buddhism priest Otsu at Jissoji Temple in Nishio, who went to China and studied
Buddhism in 13 century, and brought a Chinese music to home town.
The wood block print on page three is Mikawa Comic performance, which wasworked by a pupil at Nishio Primary School.
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 threeshows. We enjoy them very much. Thank senders ever so much!
On December 26, a staff convivial meeting was held, at which nine full attendances
and a long service senior were awarded as followed
Full attendances: Mr. Kazuhisa Suzuki, Mr. Norio Nagata, Mr. Takuya Kanazawa,
Mr. Yasuhiko Nagata, Mr. Mr. Tomohiro Tomatsu , Miss Ayumi Tani, Mr. Tetsuaki
Adachi, Mr. Yuta Sukigara and Mr. Hiroo Suzuki.
15 years long service senior: Mr. Hiroshi Suzuki.
Congratulations everyone! Take care of yourself in the New Year.
When it comes to the New Year, Praying Meeting is a feature. Every arrangement isgoing on powerfully for the best hospitality. All we expect to welcome so many guests
at the Kira Kanko Hotel, photo on page four, on January 16.
The Japan of today
New Year’s event
The Japanese celebrate the passing of one year and the arriving of the next withgreat fever. On January 1 families gather to drink a special kind of sake that is
supposed to ensure a long life, eat a special kind of soup containing glutinous ricecakes, and generally wipe away any bitter memories remaining from the previous year.
They visit shrines and temples to pray for good fortune in the coming year. The
New Year celebration is the biggest event on the calendar in Japan, and all companies
and public offices are closed for the first three to seven days of the year.