世界には親心しかない in KOBE

日本語入力アプリがずいぶん賢くなってきたので、誤変換は少なくなってきたように思う。が、ユーチューブの字幕はまだまだ誤変換が多い。やはり音声から、ほぼリアルタイムに文字に起こすのは難しいのだろう。 もしかすると漢字が難しいのかもしれない。誤変換だから、音声はちゃんと聞き取っているわけで、それを適した漢字に当てはめるのが難しいのだろう。 「公用パソコン」を、「紅葉パソコン」と変換してたので、コパイロットに絵を書いてもらった。

The practice of working for just one day, known traditionally as "day labor," is now often referred to as "gap work." Thanks to the widespread use of smartphones, day labor has become very convenient. First, finding a job is very easy. By installing an app on your smartphone, you can search for jobs effortlessly and receive notifications for positions that match your criteria. The app may also recommend jobs based on your previous work experience. Once you find a suitable job, you can apply for it via your smartphone. Perhaps due to the current labor shortage, I have never been rejected after applying. Without making phone calls or attending interviews, you can secure a job just by using the app, saving both time and effort. Recently, I worked a one-day job near JR Kobe Station, and my pay was deposited the next day. Historically, day labor jobs allowed you to receive cash payments on the same day, known as "daily pay," but now payments are typically made ...

I boarded a JR train for an errand and found myself surrounded by kindergarten children. As I absentmindedly thought about how hard the teachers must have it, I noticed many of the children coughing and wearing masks. Worried about the spread of some virus, I decided to get off at the next station. The station was JR Maya. Although I knew of its existence, it was my first time on the platform. Hoping I hadn’t been exposed to the virus, I sat on a bench on the platform. In the past, benches at train stations faced the tracks, but recently they are often aligned parallel to the tracks, supposedly to prevent drunk people from falling onto the tracks when they stand up. I'm not sure if that's true. Anyway, I sat on the bench and checked my phone. It turns out that Mycoplasma infections are currently spreading in Kobe. This risk is inevitable when traveling by train. However, driving would mean paying for parking, which is quite expensive, especially in areas like Sannomiya and Moto...

There are many cities in Japan known for their slopes, but an urban sloping city like Kobe is quite rare. When I first arrived in Kobe, my wife showed me around various places, but I had a hard time memorizing the maps. I could tell the general direction, but I often lost track of my altitude and would frequently ask, “Which floor are we on right now?” It may sound strange to some, but it truly was confusing. For example, you might enter a building from the sidewalk and take an escalator up, only to find yourself at ground level again when you step out. I would think, “Wait, didn’t I just go up to the second floor?” This kind of thing happened often. You might enter a building from the sidewalk, take an elevator to an upper floor, walk around, take another elevator to a higher floor, and end up at ground level again when you step outside. This was a daily occurrence. Since buildings are built on slopes, it’s natural that the floors differ between the mountain side and the sea side. How...

There are three main railways in Kobe: Hankyu Railway, JR, and Hanshin Railway. JR, formerly the national railway, is highly convenient. For example, if you are going to Osaka or Kyoto, JR is the fastest. I was surprised when I came to Kobe because there were no JR lines near my hometown. Seeing regular freight trains running was astonishing. It's only natural when you think about it; JR handles logistics across Japan, delivering goods from Osaka through the Chugoku region to Kyushu. People also travel on the same lines. When waiting on the platform for a train during the usual commute or a casual outing, a long freight train passes by. For someone like me, used to only local private railways and subways, this sight was quite surprising. JR is perceived as a railway for long-distance travel. It's somewhat inconvenient for short-distance travel, but the fare is slightly cheaper for nearby trips. When going to Sannomiya, if JR is an option, it's preferable. Hankyu and Hanshin...

News has come in that former Governor Saito's re-election is now certain. I believe Japan is on the brink of change. In the Tokyo gubernatorial election held this summer, Yuriko Koike was elected. The battle was between the old type of Tokyo residents who rely solely on newspapers and TV, plus vested interest groups, and the new type of residents who gather information from the internet, including social media. The old type won in Tokyo, but in the Hyogo gubernatorial election, the new type emerged victorious. Compared to the Tokyo gubernatorial election, the Hyogo election seemed more straightforward. I can hardly remember what the issues were in the Tokyo election, but the Hyogo election was clear. The main issue was whether the power harassment allegations against Governor Saito were true or fabricated by those wanting to protect their vested interests. Takashi Tachibana supported Saito, and it seemed easier to fight on this front. Many people believed the power harassment alleg...

There is news that Rakuten Card is accepting investment from Mizuho Financial Group. While "accepting investment" sounds positive, in reality, it feels more like a sell-off to manage finances. Rakuten Card is the core financial arm of the Rakuten Group, but the truth is that they had to sell a part of it. Rakuten Group's internet mall, Rakuten Ichiba, and its point system, Rakuten Super Points, are doing exceptionally well. However, Rakuten Mobile has been dragging down their performance. Comparing this to SoftBank, which can be said to have pioneered Japan's internet industry and succeeded in the mobile business, Rakuten seems to be struggling quite a bit. Recently, the number of Rakuten Mobile subscribers has been increasing, so if they can get through this, the entire group might improve. But to overcome the current situation, they had to sell part of Rakuten Card, which is central to the group. Since Mr. Mikitani, who founded Rakuten and still serves as its presid...

Yesterday, I went for early voting in the Hyogo gubernatorial election. Naturally, I voted for Mr. Saito. Recently, there was the Tokyo gubernatorial election, and now we have the Hyogo gubernatorial election. I believe this could significantly change local elections in Japan, mainly due to the growing influence of the internet on elections. Elderly people, who rely solely on TV and newspapers for information, seem to believe that former Governor Saito committed power harassment. Despite there being no evidence and the reports being almost fabricated, they still believe it. On the other hand, relatively younger people, up to around their 40s, primarily get their information from social media and the internet. There are many individuals and groups who benefit from the political system in Hyogo and oppose former Governor Saito. It seems that newspapers and TV stations have also been benefiting in the same way. Additionally, industry groups, prefectural employees, organizations with amaku...

Yesterday, on my way to the station heading home, I noticed my smartphone battery was down to 2%. I messaged my wife saying, "My battery is about to die," to which she replied, "Your battery? Or the phone's battery?" Just as I was about to respond, "The phone's," the battery died. Since I usually travel by car, I can charge my phone in the car or at my desk at work. I never really worried about running out of battery. However, for those who don't have the opportunity to charge their phone from when they leave home until they return, battery capacity is an important factor when choosing a smartphone.  It's said that this impacts the economic cycle. For someone of my age, the main device for work is a computer, and the smartphone is just a supplementary tool. For instance, I use my phone when I'm out and can't open my laptop.  For younger people, they've been exposed to smartphones even before using computers. This is what we call...

Recently, on my way to work, I felt the need to use the restroom. Checking Google Maps, I saw a nearby 7-Eleven and went in, only to find that it didn't have a restroom. This experience taught me that not all convenience stores have restrooms; some do, while others do not. Having restrooms in convenience stores was not always common, but it started becoming more prevalent when Lawson began emphasizing it.  The major convenience store chains in Japan are 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart. Recently, I heard news that 7-Eleven is going private through a management buyout (MBO), led by the founding family and Itochu Corporation. Itochu Corporation, which already owns FamilyMart, will own shares in 7-Eleven as well. This means that 7-Eleven and FamilyMart will both be under the Itochu umbrella, while Lawson will be under the Mitsubishi Corporation group. I wonder what the future holds. Personally, I find 7-Eleven to be the most convenient among convenience stores. While I believe there a...

It's not just limited to Kobe, but convenience stores are everywhere and incredibly convenient. So much so that they are deeply rooted in daily life, almost becoming a part of Japanese culture. Convenience stores were actually born out of the Large-Scale Retail Store Location Act, a law that existed in the past. If a retail store tries to reduce costs through corporate efforts, it's common to pursue the benefits of scale and expand large-scale stores. However, this would obviously deteriorate the business of small retail stores without unique features. To prevent this, the Large-Scale Retail Store Location Act was enacted. You could say it was a law created to protect the vested interests of small and medium-sized enterprises. This law required large-scale retail stores to listen to local opinions before opening, effectively making it difficult to establish new stores. As a result, the natural flow was for smaller stores utilizing the benefits of scale to increase. This led to ...

I took a day job today. Nowadays, there are several convenient services that allow you to book a job just a day in advance. It's a one-day job where you can experience various types of work. Of course, the pay isn't very high, but you do get paid. Reading economic magazines and news is important for gathering information, but going out to the field allows you to experience the economy firsthand. Using services that offer one-day jobs has allowed me to learn about different industries, which I find very beneficial. Today's job was cleaning a hotel near Kobe Sannomiya Station. I cleaned individual rooms at a hotel used by overseas tourists. My task was to clean the unit baths in the rooms. I spent the day thoroughly cleaning the bathrooms and toilets. Most of the guests were foreigners, particularly from Asian countries. I could really feel the rise in inbound tourism. While I worked only one day as a part-timer, most of the staff at the hotel are full-time employees. Despite...

When I had just moved to Kobe, I was often working late, and by the time I headed home, it was already dark. Still unfamiliar with the roads, I relied on my smartphone's navigation app, which took me through the hilly areas. I vividly remember being awestruck by the night view as I descended from the hills. There are advertisements for trips specifically to see night views. While such night views are indeed worth spending time and money on, living in Kobe means I don't have to make a special trip to see them. From where I live, it takes just a ten-minute drive to see a beautiful night view. Mount Rokko has facilities designed to provide great views, attracting many tourists. While famous spots for night views can be easily found with a quick search, I'd like to introduce a lesser-known spot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pRbhqGg2Fysp6vYcA ]( This is a hidden gem with enough space to park one car. It's a mysterious spot with an unknown purpose and owner, but from here, you can...

 リズム感のない人がいる。それが原因で月次祭のおつとめが苦痛だと言われたことがある。なんとかしてほしいと。 さて、どうすべきだろうか。 音楽のできる人が天理教には多い。だから、リズム感のない人とおつとめをするのは苦痛だということは分からなくはない。では、リズム感のない人が音楽を勉強すればよいのだろうか？そんなことをしていれば、音楽のできない人は信仰できないようなことなならないだろうか。それが行き過ぎると、教会長になるには音大をでなければならないとか、そんなことまで懸念される。世界だすけから遠のくとしか思えない。 教友に音楽を生業としている人がいる。リズム感のない人とともにおつとめをすることが苦痛ではないのかと。我慢してやっているとか、たんのうしているだとか、そういう答えが返ってくるものと思っていた。が、「おやさまの教えていただいたとおりに演奏できているのか自信がない。」との答えだった。考えているレベルが低すぎる自分を恥じた。

 バランス型の投資信託を使うという発想は今までなかった。というのも、かつては信託報酬が高かったし、別にバランス型を利用しなくても、株式ファンドと債券ファンドを組み合わせれば自分で組成できるのだから、使う必要はないと思っていた。もし使うことがあるとすれば、定期的にポートフォリオをチェックすることが難しくなるくらい他の仕事が忙しくなってきたときだろう。 こんなふうに思っていたのだが、最近、使い方がわかってきた。NISAの積立投資枠だ。NISAの積立投資枠は、基本的には株式を買うためのもので、株式が組み込まれていないものは対象とならない。だから、債券を積立投資枠で買おうと思えば、株式がある程度含まれているファンドを選ばなければならないのだが、それがバランス型ファンドだ。 NISAの積立投資枠で非課税になるのはとてもありがたいが、かといって100％株式にするのは少しリスクが高すぎる。税制面のメリットを生かして債券に投資できないものかと思って探してみたところ、バランス型ファンドに行きついた。 例えば、松井証券の投信アプリなら、積立投資枠に対応したものの中で、リスクメジャーが1、すなわち最もリスクの小さいものを検索すれば、債券の割合がかなり高いものが見つかる。 どこかから、国内株式1％国内債券99％みたいなファンドが発売されないものかと。

When it comes to Japanese banks, the three megabanks—Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and Mizuho Bank—are renowned worldwide. While the advantages of using these megabanks for international transactions or company management are considerable, online banks have recently become more convenient, making them a better option for personal use. The online bank I primarily use is a service called Matsui Bank. Although it is branded as Matsui Bank, it is actually operated by Sumishin SBI Net Bank and is treated as a Matsui branch. The benefits of online banks are significant, and once you start using them, you won't want to use anything else. Most notably, their fees are generally lower. There are often no charges for a certain number of transfers, and ATM usage fees are also often waived for a certain number of transactions. Additionally, they offer higher deposit interest rates. As far as I know, Matsui Bank currently offers the highest interest rate on regular de...

Since I moved to Kobe, I thought about switching my personal bank to one with "Kobe" in its name. In the past, it was difficult to do business without a local bank due to the lack of ATMs and other services. However, that's no longer an issue. While my current online bank works perfectly fine, I thought it would be nice to use a bank named "Kobe" since I’m now living here. However, after some research, I found that such banks no longer exist. There once was a bank called Kobe Bank, but it merged with Taiyo Bank to become Taiyo Kobe Bank, which later merged with Mitsui Bank to become Taiyo Kobe Mitsui Bank. It then changed its name to Sakura Bank and finally merged to become Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. There isn't a bank with "Kobe" in its name, but there is a credit union called "Kobe Shinkin Bank." Unfortunately, there isn't a branch nearby, so I might have to give up on this idea...

The city of Kobe is home to a variety of street trees, but it seems to me that there are especially many metasequoias. Maybe it's just my imagination. Although other cities might have as many, since moving to Kobe, I've noticed metasequoia trees more and more. Below is a picture of a metasequoia planted in a local park. Metasequoias stand tall and robust. They grow quickly and are hardy, making them well-suited for planting along streets and in parks. However, cleaning up in the autumn can be quite a task. Even with deciduous trees, larger leaves can be easily gathered with a bamboo broom. But with small leaves like those of the metasequoia, sweeping them up is a challenging job. These metasequoias are also planted in relatively small parks. In my neighborhood, there's a community association, and the officers and president diligently clean the parks. As a result, the leaves don't scatter and make the parks look messy. The parks are always clean, and it’s easy to take i...

With Trump's inauguration as president, the biggest concern for ordinary Japanese citizens is how prices will be affected. The exchange rate, which directly influences prices, is a major point of anxiety. If the yen continues to weaken and prices keep rising, life will become even more difficult. Reflecting on Trump's pre-election statements, it's unclear whether the yen will weaken or strengthen. He mentioned aiding American export companies by devaluing the dollar. At the same time, he talked about raising tariffs. Raising tariffs would naturally increase prices, leading to interest rate hikes, which would then strengthen the dollar. It's uncertain which direction things will go. It's undeniable that prices in Japan are rising, and the increased cost of living is burdening households. Wages seem to be rising as well. Day laborers and short-term part-time workers have seen slight wage increases, likely because employers need to attract workers. While higher wages f...

Japanese sake and shochu are expected to be registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Kobe is home to several sake breweries. The clusters of sake production areas are called "go" (郷). Historically, there were several go between Kobe and Nishinomiya, but now there are five, collectively known as the "Nada Gogō" (灘五郷). The Nada Gogō consists of Imazu-go, Nishinomiya-go, Uozaki-go, Mikage-go, and Nishi-go. Among these, Uozaki-go, Mikage-go, and Nishi-go are located in Kobe. One reason this region became prominent in sake brewing is its water. The water in these areas, including Kobe, is incredibly pure and ideal for brewing sake. Another factor is the "Rokko Oroshi," the wind blowing down from the Rokko Mountains. This wind helps maintain the optimal temperatures crucial for sake production. Even today, sake brewing continues in this area with large-scale factories, and the region is also well-prepared for tourists. There are tours of the Nada Gogō ...

With the House of Representatives election over, the next focus is on the Hyogo gubernatorial election. Every election, I'm amazed at how accurate the media's "projected winner" announcements are, even before the votes are fully counted. They conduct exit polls and use statistical methods to declare a winner well before the counting is complete, and that candidate usually wins. The statistical methods devised by very smart scholars are truly remarkable. The actual vote-counting process requires a lot of people, money, and time. If it's statistically proven to be accurate, why not use the exit poll system to determine the winner directly? In other words, either skip the actual voting or just simulate the voting process, and let exit polls and statistics decide the winner. This could save a lot of costs. Of course, to avoid mistakes, we could occasionally conduct manual counts to ensure the new method is working correctly. While I'm concerned about the costs of ...

When I first thought of Kobe, I pictured a bustling metropolis. However, since moving here, I've discovered just how rich in nature this city truly is. Having mountains close by naturally means abundant nature. Parks near the mountains are lush with wildlife. Recently, I took my child to a park and saw a molehill for the first time. I suppose one could actively look for molehills, but finding one without even trying is a testament to the area's richness in nature. Although it might be hard to see, this is a photo of a molehill. Head a bit south, and you'll find the sea. On holidays, many people enjoy fishing there. It's bustling with people arriving by bike or scooter, so no need for long car rides. Where I grew up, fishing required a significant investment of time and money, making it a somewhat exclusive hobby. But in Kobe, it's a casual activity that anyone can enjoy. Despite being close to nature, Kobe isn't rural. Life here is convenient, and I find it a ve...

 ** Sometimes, I can't help but think that Japan might be experiencing a stock market bubble. Since the NISA (Nippon Individual Savings Account) system was revamped, even people who had no interest in investing before have started buying stocks. NISA allows individuals to invest without paying taxes under certain conditions. Currently, stocks and investment trusts including stocks are covered. For existing investors, this system is a boon as they no longer have to pay around 20% tax on profits. I think the promotion was very well done, leading many people to start investing using the NISA system. People who previously only saved their money in bank accounts have begun investing in stocks. This isn't a bad thing—in fact, it's quite healthy in times of inflation. But, as with anything, too much is never good. I don't know if there's a similar saying abroad, but in Japan, there's a market proverb that goes, "When housewives start buying stocks, the market will...

 Androidの日本語入力にGboardを使っていたが、ふと思いついてマイクロソフトに変えてみようと思った。Microsoftswiftkeyというアプリを使ってみた。しばらく使ったが、やっぱりGboardに戻した。 おそらくもう少し時間が立つと使いやすくなるのだと思うが、まだ不便だ。微妙な変換をするし、単語も少ないのではないかと思う。 「コパイロット」を一発で変換しないとか色々ある。 とりあえずアンインストールはせずにおいておこうと思う。

I've heard that people in Kobe are not surprised to see wild boars. The other day, I took my child to a park. The park is located on the side of a residential area that borders the mountains, making it almost part of the mountain. While watching a river near the park with my child, my son suddenly exclaimed, "Look, there's a wild boar!" I couldn't spot it, but I did hear the sound of something walking. Kobe has many rivers flowing from the mountains to the sea. It seems that wild boars travel along these rivers, coming down from the mountains to the city. It's not uncommon for wild boars to appear in the city. Therefore, when told that people in Kobe are not surprised to see wild boars, it makes sense. Many people I know have seen wild boars. Some even encounter them while walking their dogs by the riverside. When I asked if they were surprised, they answered, "Of course we were surprised." No one I asked said they weren't surprised. It seems the...

Kobe is uniquely situated in a narrow area between the mountains and the sea, making it an ideal city for hiking enthusiasts. Shortly after moving to Kobe, I noticed a couple living diagonally across from me heading out in hiking gear. Later, I learned that they had walked straight to Mount Rokko for a hike. In larger cities, you typically need to take a bus or train to the base of a mountain, but in Kobe, it's not uncommon to start your hike right from your doorstep. This is exemplified by Shin-Kobe Station, a Shinkansen station. Building a Shinkansen line in Kobe, with its limited flat land, must have been quite a challenge. They had to find a way to lay the tracks along the mountainside. Because Shin-Kobe Station is located along the mountains, you can start hiking immediately after getting off the train. This trend is becoming quite popular. People from the Tokyo metropolitan area can take the Shinkansen to Shin-Kobe, hike, and then return home on the same day. It's rare to...

The Liberal Democratic Party suffered a major defeat. The resulting political instability may negatively impact the economy. In the short term, populist measures might be implemented to gain public favor, leading to a weaker yen and a subsequent rise in stock prices. However, this will not fundamentally revive the economy. In the longer term, I believe there is room for optimism. Until now, the ruling party has been too strong, holding a majority and implementing policies at will. While a genius leader could potentially improve the entire country, it is unrealistic to expect them to never make mistakes. Policies should be decided after listening to opposing views and engaging in discussions. Although Japan has not been a one-party dictatorship under the Liberal Democratic Party, it has felt close to that. With the ruling party weakened by the recent election, more debates are likely to occur. In the short term, political instability may slow policy implementation and reduce decisivenes...

An economic commentator once said that, in Japan, politicians seem to be in a weaker position compared to the Ministry of Finance. This ministry is reportedly focused solely on increasing tax revenue in the short term. Whether this is true or not, such an approach might be necessary to maintain the value of the Japanese yen. However, if the goal is to increase tax revenue in the long term, it might be necessary to consider temporarily reducing taxes to improve the economy, which in turn could lead to higher tax revenue as the economy recovers. This thought reminded me of the story of Emperor Nintoku. Emperor Nintoku, who ruled Japan from the 4th to 5th century, noticed that there was no smoke rising from the houses of his people, indicating that they could not cook rice. He decided to exempt them from taxes for a while. During this period, the imperial court became impoverished, and they could not repair their buildings. However, the lives of the people gradually improved. When they ha...