This is the last Blog stream this year at last, and I intend to restart on January 6. Counting from the opening of my office on July 1 last year, it is No. 73. Thank you for being fond of reading unfailingly.
Looking back over this year, there was good news such as the active Japanese football team at World Cup 2022, but on the other hand, corruption investigation about the Olympics vendor selection is underway. Like this, generally speaking, it has been a year with full of dark and disgusting events. Looking back as I think, I would like to mention some of them.

■The spread of infection of new coronavirus:
The new coronavirus infection entered the third year is a global epidemic disaster, pandemic, which is said to happen once every 100 years, and intermittent wave attacks continue to persist, and it is entering the eighth wave now. Hygienic environment in Japan is better than world standards, and the medical system is also maintained. Moreover, Japanese people are carrying out wearing masks following government policy. Nevertheless, I wonder “why” the infection is not under control.
After all, are there any administrative system failures somewhere? And both people’s awareness and tone of the media have been changed, and even if it was just a few people, it was covered a lot and tension ran through about three years ago when the infection had begun to spread. However, I get used to it now and even if the number of infected people per day is over 200 thousand, I feel like “Oh, really?”. It is really scary to “get used to it”.
On the other hand, China had held zero-Covid policy by city-wide lockdown since the start of the infection outbreak. However, the people’s demand for relaxation forced to live inconveniently began to show signs of turning into anti-government and anti-Communist Party demonstrations, and Chinese government fearing a repeat of the Tiananmen Square Incident has shifted its policy and deregulated without a healthcare system in place early December. From now on, negative impact by the spread of infection will outweigh the economic benefits by deregulation, and there is a concern about protracted social and economic disorder in China.

■Russian invasion to Ukraine:
Russian invasion to Ukraine that began on February 24 this year is a historic outrageous violence. This battle was only for a cause that Putin arbitrarily raised on Russia’s side by nature. On the other hand, there is justice to “protect the homeland from invasion” on Ukraine’s side. Even China on which Russia relies the most shows understanding superficially, but is drawing a line in fact, and seems to be urging Russia to “do something quickly”.
The Pacific War fought by Japan lasted 3 years and 9 months in real terms, and finally, atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and Japan accepted Potsdam Declaration and the war ended. In regard to Ukraine, the war situation is in a stalemate, but both sides are uncompromising or unable to compromise on territorial disputes. President Zelenskyy personally visited the United States this time and requested more help. The battle in Ukraine looks like a proxy war for the United States now, and as long as Ukraine maintains the indomitable attitude of “fighting on”, the United States continues to help Ukraine. Therefore, there is a concern about a long-term war of attrition.

■Assassination of former Prime Minister Abe:
A shooting incident of former Prime Minister Abe on July 8 was also shocking. If it had not been for this incident, I think the reality of the Unification Church probably would not been revealed, and the perpetrator has opened “Pandora’s Box” called the dark side of society unexpectedly. He is in appraisal custody with a deadline of January 10 next year, and the future judicial decision will be closely watched.

■Labor productivity in Japan ranks 27th:
Labor productivity per hour in Japan in 2021 which Japan Productivity Center announced this time was 49.9 dollar and placed 27th among the 38 member countries of OECD, 26th in 2020. It is about 60 % of the United States (85.0 dollar), and about the same level as Estonia (51.0 dollar) and Latvia (48.6 dollar). On the other hand, annual labor productivity per person was 81,510 dollar and placed 29th among the 38 member countries and became the lowest ranking since 1970. Manufacturing labor productivity placed 18th among the member countries. It was the top among developed countries in 2000, but it was sluggish after that, and it has remained in from 16th to 19th since 2015.
Looking at other indicators, Japan’s national power is declining significantly. It enters the category of “third -rate countries” now. Japanese government, administration and people have to humbly accept the reality and aim for revival in the future, and think about rebuilding from a short-term, medium-term and long-term viewpoint.

≪P.S.≫ I would like to express my sincere thanks for accessing my home page this year. I think that I continue to comment based on my own life experience. It is almost the end of the year and this weekend is Christmas.
Please take good care of yourself in these times, and I wish you a happy end of the year and glorious new year. Thank you.