How are you all doing? Strange things happen in the world, don't they? As I mentioned before, even when I go to the park this year, I don’t hear the sound of aburazemi (large brown cicadas) at all. It used to be so noisy with aburazemi, but now only minmin-zemi (smaller cicadas) are chirping, and I can also hear Ooshin-tsukutsuku and Haruzemi. The voices of Kanakana-zemi are also completely absent. There may be some kind of weather phenomenon causing this change. With September approaching, the complete absence of cicada sounds might indicate that a typhoon or some other unusual phenomenon is occurring.

The global economy is also showing phenomena different from what we've seen before. When Japan's economy experienced a yen appreciation, Japanese scholars and economic experts were saying it would lead to serious problems. However, when the yen appreciated again, the reaction was much less intense. Recently, I considered purchasing a small car, but I was told it would take at least four months. The dealer mentioned that this is considered fast, while explaining that profits are nearly nonexistent. I’ve heard that the Japanese automobile industry is in quite a slump, while Toyota, which manufactures in the U.S., is apparently making substantial profits. Converting the dollars earned from U.S. sales into yen could yield significant profits. If many companies produce overseas, make profits, and then convert them back to yen, the profits could be substantial.

At this time, many Japanese people are moving from rural areas to Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya to make a living. It seems that the workforce in urban areas is increasing. As a result, rural areas are experiencing a shortage of manpower and are facing significant challenges. Unlike in the past, many foreigners are marrying Japanese people or are choosing to live in Japan. Japan is facing a serious problem with its aging society.

Many elderly people live in condominiums, but as these buildings age, the issue of how to handle repairs and daily living becomes a pressing concern when the building is no longer safe. There are already proposals in many regions to prohibit the construction of large condominiums. As the residents of these large condominiums continue to age, the question of who will bear the costs of repairs and maintenance will become a significant issue. We must be well-prepared to deal with natural disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, and tsunamis. Large condominiums come with high costs, and as the elderly retire from their jobs, politicians need to think thoroughly now about how to address these issues.

Young people working today are fortunate. I might be criticized for saying this, but they have two days off per week, and their working hours are strictly regulated by the Labor Standards Office. It’s very tough to continue working consistently. Running a small business requires tremendous effort, and you need to take care of your health. Whether there are tasks to be done or not, the work must be done properly, and employees must be paid a decent salary. If conditions are too harsh, employees will leave immediately. If the conditions are too strict, the business owners themselves will not be able to sustain the business. Even without that, it’s natural that Japan might lose the intense competition with countries like Korea, China, and India, which are striving to catch up with Japan.

Recently, I’ve noticed that the prices of Japanese swords have risen considerably. Expensive items are being purchased from overseas, and Japanese swords are now being sold as commodities. They have become investment targets. Unfortunately, Japanese swords may become less common in Japan in the future, with many foreigners likely to own them. Foreigners have also increased significantly as traders, and they possess considerable knowledge. Items that were once part of Japanese culture, such as netsuke, woodblock prints, inro, and old coins, have mostly flowed overseas. However, these items are well-preserved abroad, where they are treated with care. Japan's humid climate is not the best environment for preserving Japanese swords. However, Japanese people have always taken great care to maintain their swords. Thanks to the careful management by daimyo (feudal lords) for over a thousand years, the swords have survived without rusting.

Recently, someone brought back an item they had purchased from us for their final arrangements, asking us to buy it back. I was impressed by how well-maintained it was. We repurchased it according to our company's policies. The customer came to the store with their family and seemed relieved to have been able to let it go. Please take good care of your swords.

Japan will soon enter an election period. Unfortunately, Prime Minister Kishida will likely step down, and a new leader will emerge, but the person chosen by the party behind the scenes may not be the one we hope for. Even if you start a job now, there is a problem of not having enough workers. Even if we wish to hire talented individuals, if the working conditions are not good, they will quit immediately. This problem needs to be taken seriously by hospitals and schools as well. It’s difficult to find motivated individuals. There is a shortage of teachers, nurses in hospitals, police officers, Self-Defense Forces personnel, firefighters, and other essential workers. If we don’t carefully consider the issue of personnel shortages, it will become a major problem. The government needs to come up with ways to avoid wasting money; otherwise, the situation will become unsustainable. There is too much waste. Even with something as simple as a park, there is too much waste. It’s nice to have parks with lawns, but now they are overgrown with weeds, and areas where trees were planted over many years are being cut down. The Japanese once had a spirit of making small, steady efforts. As the election for party leader approaches, please cast your vote seriously. There are too many representatives, and their salaries are too high, aren’t they? First, we need your important vote.

Take care, everyone. Let’s be kind to the elderly. Getting old is tough, with aches and pains in your back and legs. You young people on the train or bus, please give up your seat to the elderly. You, too, will grow old someday. Husbands, cherish your wives. Take them to a ryokan (Japanese inn) from time to time and let them relax. Teach your children kindness, cheerfulness, and simplicity from the heart. Let them experience nature from time to time. Dip your feet in the cold stream and let them feel what cold water is like. At night, enjoy the bright light of a campfire. They will surely grow into good children.

Best wishes to everyone,
Tsuruta Kazushige