世界には親心しかない in KOBE

This year marked the beginning of the new NISA (Nippon Individual Savings Account) system. Given that investment amounts are set annually, it's natural to think that this could have cyclical effects on the market. In any case, Japan was bustling with NISA-related activities this year. Many people invested for the first time. A while ago, Taro Aso once stirred controversy by saying, "When you say you're involved in stocks, it sounds somewhat suspicious in rural areas." Until last year, this sentiment wasn't particularly unusual. TV programs about stock investments were rarely aired during prime time and were often broadcast late at night. Investing seemed like something only a small, select group of people engaged in. Those who did invest tended to keep it to themselves. This changed dramatically this year. Investment topics have been widely covered on TV, and books on investing have sold well. For working adults, it is now often said that investing through NISA is...

 新NISAが始まって、まもなく一年が経つわけで、そして旧NISAのロールオーバーがやってくるというタイミングだ。今年の成長投資枠は使い切っているわけだが、このタイミングで処分する銘柄や、来年買う銘柄を何にするか、積立投資枠で買うものをどうするかなどと考えていたが、色々考えているうちに、今年中に買っておこうと思った。 多くの個人投資家が私と同じように、今年のNISAの反省と、来年のNISAの使い方を考えているの可能性はある。私と同じように今年のうちに売るものを売ってキャッシュを確保しておこうと考えるのなら、そんな需給要因で下げているのかも知れない。 それなら買おうかと思って、そこそこまとまった金額を買ってみた。 新NISAの仕組みが相場にどういう影響を与えるのか分からないが、何らかの影響が出で相場が動く時期かと思うと、取引する価値はあるかも。 どうせ来年に買おうと思っているものを今のうちに特定口座で買っておいて、年が明けてからクロス取引でNISA口座に移すという方向で行こうかと思う。

 証券会社の口座は、松井証券とSBI証券の2つを使っている。ムームー証券に口座開設をしようかとも思いながらアプリだけ入れてみたが、口座開設しなくても使える機能が豊富なのでしばらくそのまま使ってみようかとも思う。 複数の証券会社を使うメリットはいくつかある。メインの口座を長期投資に使っているが、もう少し短期の売買をしたくなることもある。そんなときに、同じ口座で取引すると、保有銘柄がごっちゃに表示されて見にくいし見つけにくい。私の場合、長期投資のETFは松井証券を使っていて、たまに短期売買をしたいときにはSBI証券を使っている。 正直なところ、2つの証券会社を使うと色々面倒くさい。最低でも、資産合計を知るために足し算をしなきゃならない。一つにまとめたい。 できることなら目的別口座みたいなものが使えたら良いといつも思う。住信SBIネット銀行をずっと使っているが（最近はその支店の松井バンク）、この銀行には目的別口座がある。生活費とは別に管理しておきたいお金を分けて管理できるから便利で使っている。これが証券口座でもできれば良いなあと思う。今のところ、それができる証券会社は見つからない。松井証券がやってくれたら便利だなぁと思う。

Kobe's cityscape is incredibly close to Mount Rokko, offering stunning views that can be experienced in everyday life. For those who were born and raised in Kobe, this might seem too ordinary to appreciate, but for someone like me who moved here as an adult, it feels fresh and exciting. There are several breathtaking spots in Kobe that are not typically listed in guidebooks or on tourism websites. One of these hidden gems is rooftop parking lots. In Kobe, elevated highways and railway tracks can sometimes obstruct the view of Mount Rokko. However, from a rooftop parking lot, there are no such obstructions, providing a clear and magnificent view. For example, the photo below was taken from the rooftop parking lot of Nitori in Mikage. My photography skills might not do justice to the beauty, but the actual view is incredibly beautiful. This isn't limited to just this location; you can enjoy the beauty of Mount Rokko from the rooftop parking lots of various buildings. When you vis...

In Japan, a category of apps known as "flea market apps" has become popular. These services allow individuals to easily sell their possessions. While auctions have allowed for personal sales for some time, the proliferation of smartphones has made it possible for anyone to sell items, leading to a rapid increase in usage in recent years. When thinking of flea market apps, many people likely imagine Mercari. There are other services as well, such as Rakuma and Yahoo Auctions. One reason for the spread of these services could be the economic difficulties in Japan. I also frequently use flea market apps and find that I can buy used items quite cheaply. While there are things that must be purchased new, I try to buy as much as possible through flea market apps, which significantly reduces living costs. Another reason could be the Japanese culture of valuing things. People often feel it's wasteful to throw away items that can still be used. If someone else can use it, they pre...

When I arrived at my day labor job, I discovered a shrine nearby. Although I didn’t know which deity was enshrined there, I felt a sense of gratitude. I considered writing about this, but then I thought that the concept of "kami" might be unique to Japan. If you ask someone to translate the Japanese word "神様" (kami-sama), they would usually say "God," and I used to think this was the best translation. However, as I started learning more about kami, I began to feel that "God" might not be the most accurate term. In Japan, some kami created this world, while others are less influential, and there are even kami known as "poverty gods." The word "kami-sama" can include the meaning of "God," but it also encompasses spirits of the deceased, evil spirits, and animal spirits. If humans worship them, they become kami. It seems to have a very broad meaning. For example, Japan’s oldest shrine, Omiwa Shrine, enshrines Mount Miwa...