Are we backing to the normal?

On 1st October, the state of the emergency was lifted. The number of people going outside, naturally have increased, so some resorts and urban areas have got crowded. People have already been going outside by the time of conducing Olympics. Then, the official announcement may defuse mental tension for more entire citizen.

Without exception, I have started going somewhere alone from this summer. As long as being silently with mask, I no longer hesitate to go outside.

On national holidays of last month, I went to Atami, one of the famous resorts near Tokyo. Although the beach was not so crowded, people in the fun were seen everywhere. Just on that day, the sky was completely clear after the passing of Typhoon.

Calm ancient capital, Kyoto

I went to Kyoto last month. There were still less people than previous time, as foreigners haven’t been there due to Covid-19. Kyoto, where is the most historical city in Japan, might be very popular in the world, and tourism is one of the most major industry in that city. Then, the revenue of the city has been decreased, they are seemed to be suffered from financial issue. Although turning to the normal may recover from current situation, such an economic structure, which is depending on the tourism should be improved in the future.

On the other hand, the number of Japanese tourists to Kyoto have increased than that time before the Corona crisis, according to the survey for the accommodations on this July. It might be kind of rebound of disappear of foreigners. Actually, before the Covid situation, some people had avoided to travel to Kyoto, because of congestions by many tourists. Maybe such a people are going to the ancient capital today.

Then let me share some photos, which describe calm situations.

Go out safety and get fresh air

Although Tokyo is still under the state of the emergency, some sports events are conducted with restricted audience.

I went to the horse racing course today. Usually there are over 100 thousand people gathering, but now all seats are reserved one and only less 5,000 can enter there. Fortunately, I was drawn that lottery.

Because of the wider place with restricted audience, the atmosphere was quietness, but which was luxury. Felt soft and lovely breeze and saw Mt Fuji for far way.

Since it was my decent leisure for the first time in three months, I was deeply moved more than usual and reconsider what is refreshment. Especially it has been so busy in a month that I felt somehow exhausted, however it made me relaxed today.

Getting some fresh air appropriately might be necessary for not only plants but also people. Yes, I learned.

Delay in administrative support for restaurants in Tokyo

If you have not received any response for your asking on important business for a few months, how do you feel? Generally, such a situation would not be happened, since that is quite rude. However, that seems to be existed on administration of Tokyo.

I was disappointed, when read this article. (only Japanese)

Tokyo orders restaurants to close down the business during the state of emergency and commit to pay money in return for their corporation. This is natural step for support their lives. But the payment has been delayed.

According to the article, it takes a few months from applying the fund to actual payment. There is also terrible case that the owner of the restaurant applied in January, but he had not received any response until get message “the document is incomplete” in March. The article says even the application for the money of April has not started yet.

Although there is not exact statics about that, (it cannot imagine the administration actively conducts surveys, though) we should realize such a fact. And we keep in mind that the number of bankruptcies continues to hit a monthly high.

Notes on Xinjiang cotton issue

Recently a lot of Apparel companies are asked to reconsider their supply chain. This is because major investors are interested in issues on human rights in manufacturing. The Xinjiang cotton is typical topic. Some people say there is forced labor.

Just on last week, it reported that the U.S. customs suspended import of UNIQLO shirts due to the relation with Xinjiang cotton. Actually, the company officially insisted that Xinjiang cotton is not used for their production and asked to release suspends, however the U.S. side did not accept since the proof of not existence of forced labor is not enough.

Of course, forced labor should not be agreed and respects for human rights are seriously important. As long as we see Biden’s voice or some current news, unfair labor practice seems to be existed in Xinjiang. But who had confirmed completely actual conditions in that area?

There is suspicious matter. Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) announced forced labor in Xinjiang region last year, and it caused large boycott toward major apparel companies, like H&M and NIKE. However, BCI deleted such a statement in their website before we know. Also, we should consider Shanghai office of BCI strictly objected official announcement of last year. What happened? It is not able to explain Xinjiang cotton issue from only one word. If there is not solid fact, Biden’s speak which the U.S. would impose sanctions to China may be regarded as political method.

It is also concerning suspension of Xinjiang cotton use could damage the economy of the area. BCI stopped certify not only south area where people picking cotton, but also northern area where is already mechanized. Could elimination of the largest industry in the area solve the matter of human rights?

The comment of Mr.Ooe, president of major Japanese apparel company, SANYO is suggestive.

“Cotton cultivation has also aspect as basis of livelihood in the local. We make sure of which activity is correct for corporate social responsibility.” (quote Nikkei article, with my translation)

Human rights issue is important and there is no way to know the fact in Xinjiang. But when it contains just political purpose and there is no consideration for people who live there, some human rights activities are just “fashion”. We should be skeptically sensitive with one-side enthusiasm.

Present-day Japan and Empire of Japan (thinking from the government under the Covid crisis)

As the days of the Olympics are approaching, a lot of opinions are gathering worldwide.

On last Sunday, when I talked with Indian who is my English teacher, she said “Why cannot Japan cancel the event, in spite of that the vaccine is not completely prepared?”. This is quite correct.

BBC answered clearly that question. Let me share the article.

Anyway, there is something wrong in current Japan. Although almost all citizens realize strangeness, the government is not able to control.

One of the Nikkei’s article(only in Japanese) analyzed the current situation and told the government is not changed from “Japan before WW2”. Showing points of the article.

There are three common points between present-day Japan and the Empire.

(1) No priority

Empire: their strategy was invasion to both North and South

Current: despite continuously the state of the emergency, conducted travel promotion

(2)Harmful of silo organizations

Empire: lack of cooperation between Army, Navy and Ministry of foreign issues and so on

Current: lack of cooperation between Ministry of health and other institutions, between the government and municipalities

(3)Optimism without reasons

Empire: Despite the difference of the national power with the U.S., began the war

Current: Despite the warning of pandemic, there is no improvement on medial system and healthcare centers

Although these comparisons might be a little simplistic, we cannot deny them.

The empire advanced MAD war in 80 years ago and Japan faced catastrophe. Then, how about now and future?

The government and the citizens who elected the party should accept such a humiliating indication; this is the fact.

business and international affairs

Last month, the Japanese and U.S. government indicated their intension to monitor Rakuten group, one of major IT company, since Chinese tech company, Tencent is holding stakes of that company and the fear for information leaks. This is quite related with national security matters between U.S. and China.

Though those are just example, international affairs often should be considered on business scene. Let me share some cases from my experience as a bank worker.

The clearer case is economic sanctions. Especially when I worked in Russia, it was sensitive matter for business. When the SDN lists by OFAC were revised, specifically in case of adding big name, like RUSAL, I had to be careful whether some transactions breaches. Sometimes foreign remittance related with Russia was hard to deal with, since USD remittances are passing thorough U.S. banks as an intermediary bank. Some transactions are inquired many times for like purpose of money, the other was suspended without specific reason. (All deals were finally done, of course.)

Iran is also typical for sanction case. Although it is completely impossible now, there was a time that remittances on USD related with Iran are conflicted with OFAC regulation but on JPY were OK. Customers ask bank for flexible correspondence, as their business are ongoing even under sanctions. And it might be one of the roles of banks to provide continuous solution.

In a few recent years, the issue of economic friction between the U.S. and China has been hot.

About 2 years ago, when the U.S. intended to raise tariff, some Japanese companies, which have a lot of manufacturing plants in China, were confused. They quickly conducted replacing production bases to ASEAN countries or enhancing capacity in regions other than China. There are also room for banks to support them in such cases, for instance, providing information about next countries, opening new accounts and creating new remittance routes etc.

Even in ordinary business cases, international affairs cannot be ignored. They often make matters complicate and companies have to survive in age of rapid change. And sometimes business opportunities might be found in waves.

Third declaration of a state of emergency in Tokyo

The state of emergency has been issued from 25th April. Shopping center, movie theaters, museums and any other entertainment places are closed. From next week we are going to be on consecutive national holidays, what we call “golden week, however a lot of service companies will be hit economical damage.

I had to be out today. When I walked near one of the larger parks in Tokyo, a lot of people were spending time with their families and relaxing. Kids were innocently running and smiling. The weather was best in the spring warm day and blue sky.

Some broadcast said there were crowded in other area in Tokyo.

But I do not want to blame people are outside for now.

Such a state of emergency or “STAY HOME” message from the government do not have effect any longer.

Let me introduce more one news. There were national elections to fill vacancy on three areas, and government party lost all candidates.

It might imply some movement in the future.

The infection is getting serious again in Japan

In this a few weeks, the case of Covid-19 is increasing again, although the statement of emergency was lifted on last month. The infection of variant of the virous is currently serious and Osaka is hit this effect at first. The population of Osaka is 8.8 million and fewer than that of Tokyo, 13.9 million, but the number of cases in Osaka is over Tokyo. Then also in Tokyo, the number of cases modestly is certainly increasing. There is no optimistic atmosphere.

Despite such a situation, the government has no specific contingency plan. The rate of immunization for vaccine is still in low level. Governors are just saying like “Don’t move to other area” and “please refrain from going out”. A lot of citizen already know the government dose not take an emergency policy in order to hold the Olympics.

Although people know the situation is in danger, their daily life are not quite changed. They are into crowed train every morning and work in office. Some companies stop to encourage remote working for employee. Of course, most people are wearing masks and clean their hands quite often with alcohol.

These are at least realities through my eyes. Including me, citizen might be already getting used to the virus and unreliable voice from the government.

Promote Nuclear power for carbon neutral

Seeing this idea, I was disappointed.

Though Japanese government advocates to become decarbonized society by 2050, one parliamentary group of the government seriously mention “nuclear power is necessary for the accomplishment”. (Sorry for the article is only in Japanese.) And one of the member said the number of nuclear plant should increase.

The nuclear power has few emissions of CO2 however, it is causing the effect of radioactive substances and nuclear wastes. Carbon neutral is only one of the highest priority of SDGs action, and it does not mean it allows to ignore any other environmental issues.

It is stupid to consider with only existing method toward such a challenging goal. Though we must find new way to solve them, such immediate effect idea is quite short-sighted. They do not understand the means of SDGs.

Of course, the technical improvement of nuclear power would be conducted, but the critical issue of radioactive substance will not disappear soon. For example, it takes 30-40 years for decommissioning of Fukushima plant. Can we leave long-term problems for sustainable future?

I do not blindly mention anti-nuclear plant. What should be pointed out is the lack of their imagination. They see only the word “carbon neutral”.

I believe their simplistic idea would not realize because they would have to face an emotional question below: Did you forget the tremendous earthquake and tsunami only 10 years ago?