世界には親心しかない in KOBE

 ** 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...

It is often said that there are many chiropractic clinics in Kobe. Although I haven't conducted any formal statistics, my impression after moving here from another city is that there are numerous massage, chiropractic, and osteopathic clinics.  One reason for the abundance of these clinics could be the city's many hills, which put a strain on people's legs and lower backs in daily life. Another reason might be the large number of factories and warehouses. There are always job postings for short-term or one-day jobs. Having worked at some of these places, I can attest that the physical labor is very demanding and could easily lead to back pain if done continuously. There are various types of chiropractic and massage services available, including Indian and Thai traditional massages, which have become quite popular. I am not sure if these foreign styles have been introduced recently by international residents, but given Kobe's long history of foreign inhabitants, it is no...