ASUKA ALUMINIUM NEWS NO.662 AUGUST 2016
The 53rd Asuka Seminar is held on7 and 8 October
It was recently revealed that the 53rd Asuka Seminar is going to be held at the Kira
Kanko Hotel in Kira Waikiki Beach, Mikawa Bay National Park on 7 and 8 October.
In 1964, the first Asuka Seminar was held, and since then it was constantly held in
every autumn without intermission. The instructors have been elected from various
fields as specialists, and so many attendants await this traditional and informative
event every year.
In the afternoon of the first day, a fruitful seminar will be held, and in the evening agrand party in traditional Japanese fashion will be held to interchange business views
each other among all attendants.
The second day, a golf competition is arranged at the Kira Country Club in themorning for golf devotees. Since it has been one of the most generous and traditional
annual events of Asuka, the various arrangements are going powerfully.
The photo on page one is the Kira Kanko Hotel.
Aluminum market rebounds at LME
Looking back the transition of aluminum market at London Metal Market during
past one year, the price has hit bottom in November last year, and since then market
price has shown rebound clearly.
Since the price marked $2,000s in November 2014, it has gone down to bottom pricein November 2015. Under long unprofitable business situation, some primaryaluminum smelting plants have been curtailing their production or shutdown.
Today, we would like to keep watch on the movement of these dormant primaryaluminum smelting plants from now on.
The chart on page one shows the primary aluminum market progress at LME
during past one year.
Our summer holidays
We are pleased to notify our summer holidays as follows.
14 Sunday ~ 21 Sunday AugustBon, Festival of Souls
Bon is one of the most popular and important Buddhist festivals in Japan, and it isobserved on 13 ~ 15 August, old conventionally on 13 ~ 15 July, as a great summer
event.
This Buddhist festival is held for departed souls, who are believed to return to theirsurviving family and live with them happily for three days. Paper lanterns are hung in
the homes and Bon-dances are performed by people clad in light cotton kimono,
yukata , to the accompaniment of flutes and drums at Buddhism temples or parks.
During this season many people return and enjoy their hometown life, and every
train and airline is fully occupied.
On highways, a big power of patience is required every summer

My impression in the US
Takashi Amano, President
As a member of the business mission to observe market in the US sponsored by theNishio Sninkin Bank, I visited New York, Washington and Detroit on July 3~9. I would
like to relate some of my impression.
Security
The extremely strict security check at airports surprised us very much. Not only
metal detector, body and all belongings had to through X-ay gate and to get off shoesand belt. Not only at air ports, museums, art museums or amusement parks aresame situation at the entrances. But we could look out very peaceful scenery; many
people enjoyed walking or running at the Central Park in New York.
Economy in the US
GDP We had a good opportunity to visit the Federal Reserve Bank conducted by Mr.
Takeshi Aoki, Representative of the Global Research Institute. He guided us kindly in
the FRB, and at the same time, we could get the newest information on Americaneconomy.
We could have a unique opportunity to eyewitness a pile of somethousands ton of gold ingot in the underground vault.
The FRB foresees growth rate of GDP will be 2.0% in 2016 ~ 2018, which growthrate is thought reasonable in the US. On the other hand, the market of real estate isrecovering favorably.
Employment The unemployment rate is recovering, but the increase of employees
shows lower tendency. The FRB foresees the labor market will favorable in coming
several years, and forecasts the jobless rate will be 4.6% or so.
The population is increasing by the immigrants.
Taxi
Taxi is called “yellow cab” in New York, which is totaled about 13,000 unit. In
2011it is settled that all new cab should be Nissan mini-van since 2013. But the Taxi
business body opposed it. Today, Toyota hybrid cars are marked on the streets.
UBER
This is the newest system for allocation of cars in some cities in the world today. As
soon as a passenger points his starting spot from his cellular apli, a registered carcomes.
The payment is performed by passenger’s cellphone. It is said that thissystem allocation is increasing explosively.
Sharing economy
In Japan car sharing business is starting. In the US the joint ownership of goods,money, service and others lately puts to practical use. The typical subjects are automobil, bike, boat, event tool, garage, parking space and office space.
Detroit
In 2009 both GM and Chrysler bankrupted. In 2013 Detroit City did so, and is reconstructing by the State. I want to be here to see a rehabilitated city 10 years after.
AWTEC USAThe company was established in1988 as a subsidiary by Aisin to repair
transmission and to study its faults. I sincerely thank Mr. Kasai, President, and all
staff for a very kind guidance we received at AWTEC USA.

Left photo is writer with Charging bull at NY SE, right is all members at AWTEC.