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Last Week in Japanese News 11/27/2022-12/03/2022 [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.', 'Backgroundurl Avatar_Large', 'Nickname', 'Joined', 'Created_At', 'Story Count', 'N_Stories', 'Comment Count', 'N_Comments', 'Popular Tags']
Date: 2022-12-03
Hello, this, is RWPOINTWOMAN, and this is Last Week in Japanese News. Here, I translate news articles from the Easy Japanese news reader app, usually just the Easy section, but occasionally from the difficult 1 as well.
I try to at least hit the highlights and will usually translate at least 1 article per day.
My understanding of grammar is mostly concepts that are at or below mid-N3. "N3" as in "JLPT N3". This would be intermediate on the 5-rung Japanese Language Proficiency Test, where N5 is absolute beginner and N1 is native. It is required for working in Japan. I have picked up more advanced grammar just with Easy Japanese.
My vocabulary must be about 2,000 words by now. Much of it wasn't in my Anki deck, which is the spaced-repetition flashcard deck I stopped using because of all the time and energy it was taking and how much I needed that for this feature. I feel so much more rested, now.
My speaking, writing, and listening practice are variously nearly or completely nonexistent. I have the option of listening to these articles by either going sentence-by-sentence with the headphones button where the app reads the sentence using a voice of my choosing with option of going between the separate pages for individual sentences or having that same voice read the article in 1 go. The 1st button can also be used for audio recordings of oneself. I have been using this for listening and speaking practice. For writing practice, I write sentences strictly by typing.
Speaking practice with a human being is on hold while the Japanese woman who was helping with that closes out an estate. Speaking practice now consists of using the headphones button to record myself reading the sentence on the page out loud.
Writing practice is possible with Google Docs, but that has fallen by the wayside due to lack of inspiration. For listening practice, there is also anime, but I prefer not to do that because I either don't get subtitles in the original Japanese or I can't handle the volume of new words.; the official Asahi News Network YouTube channel, which is currently exhausting to watch due to my low vocabulary, would also be good if I were better. It is not captioned at all.
Reading practice consists of Easy Japanese articles, which are also immersion, and YouTube videos not in Japanese with English subtitles. I used to watch ShiliTV even though I don't get the ASMR response and Cult Cinema Classics for this.
My immersion also occasionally includes anime.
On with the show!
November 27, 2022:
4 major electric power companies apply for approval of rate hike due to rising fuel costs. (Asahi)
While fuel costs continue to rise, 4 major electric power companies including TEPCO have put together a plan to apply for approval from the government of Japan to raise the regulated fee within this year. The regulated fee about 70% of households pay is an upper maximum that includes the fuel adjustment fee and is regulated by the Japanese government, which established it, but all 10 of Japan's electric power companies have reached it. Because of this, increased fuel costs can no longer be passed onto the consumer, causing the companies to go further into debt, and 4 electric power companies in Tokyo, Tohoku, Hokuriku, and the Chuugoku region have put together a plan to apply to the Japanese government to have the rate raised. 2 electric power companies in Shikoku and Okinawa are also considering applying, etc. and they are reviewing the rate faster.
Astonished French newspapers proclaim, "lightning has struck in Doha" at sight of Japanese players' performance. (Asahi)
French media have proclaimed, "lightning has struck in Doha" in shock at Japan's victory over Germany at the 2022 World Cup of Soccer. On November 23, L'Équipe, a French sports newspaper, published an article entitled "Ippon" that liked this victory to winning by an ippon in judo. It said, "lightning has struck in Doha" regarding Japan's astounding defeat of Germany, which was believed to be higher in rank. Additionally, AFP News also commented on Japan's upset victory, saying, "It was a halftime play thought to be nigh-impossible." In another French media outlet, there was an article which, analyzing Japan's surprise victory, saying things like, "In the first half, everything was going Germany's way, but in the second half, Japan's game was crazy after scoring" and, "They had samurai playing energy toward the end."
Japanese fans stay after game to clean up stadium at World Cup. (CNN)
On November 23, Japanese fans were seen cleaning the venue where the Qatar World Cup soccer games were held after the match between Japan and Germany was finished. In the match, Japan delivered an upset victory against Germany, which included 4 players who had won previous World Cups.
This is the Japanese version of CNN.
November 28, 2022:
"Scale art" made from fish scales. (NHK)
Works of "scale art", which are made from fish scales, are on display at the Imai Art Museum in Gatsu City, Shimane Prefecture. There are about 50 in total. The artists who made them is Junzaemon Sasamoto. Sasamoto has been working jobs like selling fish for about 50 years. Sasamoto decided to start making art using fish scales, which are normally discarded. He then piled them up 1 layer at a time and made realistic flowers. A museum patron who had seen the works said, "I had wondered what could be made using fish scales, but I am quite pleased," with surprise. Sasamoto said, "I am grateful that everyone can see it at the museum. I will be 76 years old soon, but I intend to keep making these."
Japan to continue "nationwide travel support" to make travel cheaper into next year. (NHK)
Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism Saitou said the "nationwide travel support", which was slated to end late this December, into next year. "Nationwide travel support" is a system that offers travelers a discount when traveling within Japan. It will continue until December 27 because the many end-of-year and New Year's Day celebrants will not be able to use it. They will decide whether to continue it until next year. The discount will be smaller next year. It is 40% this, but it will be 20% next year. The largest discount is for a combination of hotel and vehicle and is up to ¥5,000. The discount is up to ¥3,000 for no hotel. Minister Saitou said, "Tourism is a big business in Japan. We want to support the tourism industry to bring the area back to life."
NITE calls for caution to avoid kotatsu and electric stove fires. (Asahi)
As real winter approaches, a warning was issued regarding fires started by household electrical appliances that produce heat like kotatsu and electric stoves. When a kotatsu is left on, then as time passes, futons catch fire and the flames spread. Additionally, heaters have ignited clothing placed in kotatsu to dry. According to NITE (National Institute of Technology and Evaluation), during a 5-year period ending last fiscal year, there were 347 fires involving kotatsu and electric stoves and 26 people were killed. There was an increase in accidental fires after fiscal year 2019. NITE warns that leaving flammable material near electric heaters, damaged electrical cords, and dust next to appliances can start fires.
A kotatsu is a device consisting of a heater, the table frame placed on top of it, the quilt or futon placed on top of that, and the table top placed on top of that. The heat source is often built in and they are used almost exclusively in Japan.
Newest Russian submarine performs missile launching exercise in Sea of Japan. (Asahi)
The Russian Ministry of Defense released a video of its newest diesel-powered submarine, Magadan, performing an exercise in the Sea of Japan in which it fired cruise missiles. On November 25, the Russian Ministry of Defense released a video of Magadan, its newest diesel-powered submarine, launching Kalibr cruise missiles from beneath the Sea of Japan. The missiles reportedly hit targets meant to simulate enemy ships and on the coast of Khabarovsk and hit each of them. The Kalibr cruise missile is also being used in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Tokyo Metropolitan High School includes English test in entrance exam. (NHK)
Tokyo Metropolitan High School administered an English test as part of its entrance examination for the first time on November 27. The Tokyo Metropolitan Area Board of Education has begun testing English language proficiency in order to facilitate English language instruction. The test takes about 15 minutes. Students wear a headset equipped with a microphone and give answers to questions and identify pictures. The students voice recording data is sent to the Philippines by an education company. It is then assigned points by qualified English teachers. Experts, parents, etc. are concerned about the opacity of things such as the test standards and method. A student who had taken the test, "I have never taken a test like that before, so it was difficult."
November 29, 2022:
Tokyo University plans to make roughly 300 women professors and associate professors. (NHK)
Tokyo University wants at least 25% of its teachers to be women, but this May it was only 16%. Due to this, Tokyo University plans to make 141 women new professors and 165 women new associate professors. This is the first time Tokyo University has made this many women professors and associate professors. Tokyo University said, "We want to renew the university by infusing it with people with a variety of perspectives and to help female researchers grow." When the OECD investigated in 2020, it found that the percentage of female instructors at universities, etc. was 45% per member country and Japan's was 30%. Looking at this plan seems as if it draw attention to other universitys' plans.
Upcycling movement picks up speed as Shinkansen seat covers turned into slippers. (Asahi)
JR Tokai has begun an initiative to turn its Shinkansen seat covers into new goods. The raw materials to be reused are the Tokaido Shinkansen N700 line's seat covers, which are stain-resistant and durable, and they will be made into things like slippers and coin purses. They will be hand cut and handsewn at a factory in Yamagata Prefecture and the plan is to begin selling them online by the end of this year. About 1,200 kg of Tokaido Shinkansen seat covers are thrown out each month and JR Tokai has said that it would be better to transform them into household goods meant to be felt close to the body. All Nippon Airways (ANA) is also transforming its airplane seat covers into things like slippers and its upcycling effort, which and value to things expected to be discarded by transforming them into new things, is spreading.
Year-end party reservations climb to 69% of pre-COVID-19 level. (NHK)
December is year-end party season. According to websites where restaurant reservations can be made, December reservations have gone up to 69% of their pre-COVID-19 level. This includes reservations made through November 23. Reservations for groups of 4 people or less accounted for 30.3% in 2019, but this year it has increased to 58.1% The company that investigated this said, "An increased number of people want to enjoy the festivities with small groups of people compared to before the novel coronavirus. However, this has increased the amount of work to be done disinfecting tables, etc. Even though reservations increased, there is a staffing shortage."
Men put selves through simulated menstrual pain to create more comfortable working environment for women. (Asahi)
An event was held to deepen understanding of the ordeal women go through during menstruation. With this system, which runs an electric current through an electrode pad attached to the abdomen, menstrual pain can be experienced. Hiroyuki Ohyagi, Representative Director of Indeed Japan: "I could feel [the menstrual pain], but I felt as if I should not simulate the complete experience. I wanted to try not to forget that there are a variety [of symptoms] of various levels of severity." Indeed, a major help wanted site, says that it is trying to make workplaces, companies, etc. easier for women to work in through these events."
One can enjoy the autumn leaves by walking down Imperial Palace's Inui Street. (NHK)
At the center of the Imperial Palace of Japan lies Inui Street, a roughly 600 km road lined with about 70 maple trees from 8 species. This year, from November 26 to December 4, one can see the fall colors there. Last year and the year before that, this was impossible due to the pandemic. On the morning of November 26, people were taking pictures of the red leaves while walking. A woman said, "I could sense it was fall. I enjoyed the beautiful courtyard." This year, the only entrance is Sakaguchi Gate to reduce crowding. Entering through the Imperial Palace East Gardens is prohibited. The hours are 9:00 AM-3:00 PM.
Combination SARS-CoV-2/influenza assay developed. (NHK)
From hereon out, novel coronavirus virus and influenza infections are going to increase and there is a concern that hospitals will be overflowing. The Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare approved a single test kit for novel coronavirus and influenza antigens for sale at pharmacies, online, etc. on November 28. According to the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, it has prepared 39 million kits for use by hospitals. However, it looks as if pharmacies and other establishments that sell them would have little supply. An expert stated, "If it can determined whether one has COVID-19 or influenza at home, then there will fewer people going to the hospital. However, at-home test kit results may be incorrect. If you have symptoms, stay away from places like work and school."
November 30, 2022:
Event held in honor of 150th anniversary of customs house founding. (Asahi)
November 28 is the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the "customs house", which guards against the smuggling of narcotics, weapons, etc. past Japanese beaches, and each place is holding a commemorative event. The customs house was founded in 1872, Meiji 5, November 28, and it contributed to the development of trade in Japan among other things. At a venue near JR Yokohama Station, there will be a demonstration of the equipment used like metal detectors so that guests can experience them and drug sniffing dogs so that they can understand the role and the work of customs. The customs house has strengthened its border security measures to deal with the rapid growth of imported goods ordered online. From now on, they will be worried about increased numbers of visiting foreigners bringing increased numbers of narcotics in their carry-on bags.
Research done to eliminate falls in elderly during judo ukemi. (NHK)
Accidental fatal falls are increasingly befalling the elderly. According to the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, 8,851 people aged 65 and over suffered fatal falls. This is about 4 times the number of people aged 65 and over who have died in traffic accidents. The All Japan Judo Federation has assembled a research team to eliminate accidental falls in elderly judoka learning ukemi. The team is investigating things like how falls occur and how to help people fall safely during ukemi. They are also creating a manual on how to prevent falls. The plan is to start cooperating with entities such as the administrative divisions of Japan and hospitals to teach ukemi starting around 2025. An expert said, "We want to investigate things like how people maintain their balance and how to assist with ukemi."
Ukemi is simply the art of falling safely.
High school students provide meal of croquettes made with crickets. (NHK)
At a Komatsushima City, Tokushima Prefecture high school, students studying to obtain the qualifications needed to cook for a living made and provided meals. On November 28, they made croquettes using edible crickets in order to bring the problems with the world's food supply. They used cricket flour made by a company based in Tokushima Prefecture. When it came time to eat the school lunch, many students ate the croquettes. One of the students in question said, "It was delicious. There was no problem with the crickets being included." The high school asked the students about things like the flavor and plans to do this again next year.
"Avatar" will serve customers at sustainable "Green Lawson". (Asahi)
An environmentally friendly convenience store intended to be kind to the planet, people, etc. has been opened as part of an effort at sustainability. At "Green Lawson", which opened November 28, there are terminals at places like the entrances and beside the self-checkout that display an "avatar" of an employee and customers can ask it questions. This way, employees can serve customers at a distance. Also, they only sell frozen bentou with a long shelf life and bentou made onsite, not refrigerated bentou, to reduce food loss. Lawson says it wants to expand these practices all over Japan if they are found to work.
Guinness World Record set as 71st volume of Kaiketsu Zorori published. (NHK)
Kaiketsu Zorori is a children's series that the story of a fox named Zorori and his and his friends' adventures. It is written by Yutaka Hara. It has run continuously since 1987 and the 71st book was published in July. A ceremony was held in Tokyo on November 29 in honor of this being entered into the Guinness Book of World Records. It was described as the longest running children's book series written and illustrated by the same person. "I was able to continue to do this with the support of children. Zorori always fails, but he persists. I want readers to keep going instead of resigning themselves to failure."
December 1, 2022:
Japan's Furyuu Odori designated Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. (NHK)
UNESCO designates as Intangible Cultural Heritage things like ancient cultures and crafts that are too precious not to have to be preserved. It designated furyuu odori, a Japanese dance done to the sound of instruments such as drums and flutes, as such on November 30. Furyuu odori is a dance that is part of the history, nature, etc. of the region and done at the Bon Festival, etc. People ranging from children to the elderly gather, assemble things like the possessions of the dead, rice, and vegetables, pray, and dance. Furyuu odori, which was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage, has 41 variations spread across 24 prefectures. These include Akita Prefecture's nishimonai bon odori, Gifu Prefecture's kanomizu kakeodori, and Nagasaki Prefecture's tsushima bon odori. A representative of the Japanese government's delegation to UNESCO said, "We think designating this as Intangible Cultural Heritage will give practitioners of this regional dance the power to educate people about it."
Odakyu Electric Railway to lower fare for limited express. (NHK)
Odakyu Electric Railway has decided to let people ride the romance car limited express as many times as they wish for a monthly fee. The romance car runs from the Tokyo Metropolitan Area to Kanagawa Prefecture. The limited express fare has 4 rates ranging from ¥3,500 to ¥6,000. Aside from this, there is a passenger fare. The seat is to be chosen with a smartphone app, and the limit is twice a day on the weekdays. For someone taking over 4 round trips, this makes it cheaper. Odakyu Electric Railway thinks that this will be used by people commuting to work, etc. when the train is not crowded. Electric railway companies in the Tokyo Metropolitan area and its surrounding prefectures are beginning to increase ridership this way. Keisei Electric Railway is charging a flat fare rate the will cover as many rides as one wishes, morning and night, aboard the limited express when it is crowded.
Rate paid by households for electricity also high next January. (NHK)
The cost of electricity has skyrocketed. The rate paid by ordinary households in January for their December electricity usage will also be high. Chubu Electric Power charges ¥9,189, the highest rate of all 10 major electric companies. Hokuriku Electric Power is the cheapest at ¥6,402. The rates are set with the approval of the Japanese government. The rules say that they can charge up to a set maximum and this will remain the case next January. Next January, the household gas rates charged by 3 major gas companies will be ¥189-¥334 more than in December. The Japanese government is sending money to lower the cost of electricity, gas, etc. from February through September. Because of this, it will be cheaper starting in February. However, an electric company wants the Japanese government's permission for an April rate hike, which might mean more expensive electricity.
I am not clear on who is to receive the money, the companies or the people.
"Commodity price hikes": vegetable juice, frozen food prices continue to rise. (Asahi)
Next February, Kagome is raising the price things like its vegetable juice and ketchup and TableMark is raising the price of its frozen food. Kagome has announced that it is raising the price of 151 products intended for household consumption such as tomato juice, vegetable drinks, ketchup, and sauce by 20%, the highest ever, starting with the February 1, 2023 shipment. Furthermore, it is keeping the price for 6 of the drinks it sells in cartons for the February 21, 2023 release, but is reducing their volume by 100 mL. Additionally, TableMark is also reportedly raising the price of 66 frozen items intended for household consumption including okonomiyaki and udon by between 3% and 19% starting with the February 1, 2023.
Okonomiyaki is a Japanese pancake according to Wikipedia, but it sounds more like an omelette.
Nissan announces new model of Serena, world's first self-driving minivan on highway. (Asahi)
Nissan Motor has announced the new model for its flagship, the minivan Serena. The new model of Serena is the world's first minivan capable of driving itself on the highway through ProPILOT, its autonomous drive system. Also, it is said that its hybrid version's "e-POWER" engine has been enhanced and now runs more quietly. The plan is to release the gasoline-powered version this winter and the hybrid one next spring. The Serena has been Nissan's flagship vehicle since it was released in 1991 and this 6th generation release is the first full model change in 6 years. Other domestic automakers have released new minivan entries in a ferocious competition for market share.
December 2, 2022:
Sand "GeGeGe no Kitaro" statue erected at Chofu City Shinto shrine. (NHK)
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Shigero Mizuki, the author of youkai manga GeGeGe no Kitaro. Mizuki died in 2015. Sand sculptures of his characters were erected at Futaden Shrine in Chofu City, where he once lived, on November 30. In this manga, Kitaro lived in the woods beside the shrine. The statue is about 2 m tall and made of about 7 t of sand. Mizuki stands in the middle surrounded by youkai characters including Kitaro and Nezumi Otoko. Fans took pictures in front of the statue. Mizuki's wife, Nunoe Mizuki, said, "Both Kitaro's twisted mouth and everyone's faces are skillfully done. I think my husband is happy with it." The statue can be seen until December 20.
New technique makes analyzing multiple faces with single camera possible. (NHK)
NEC has announced technology that will allow a single camera placed at, say, an entrance to a venue for an event analyze multiple faces. This camera can predict the movements, etc. of walking people and can check whether their faces match photos taken when they registered when it sees their faces. It can even do this if the subject is wearing a mask. It can check 100 people/min, and if an unregistered person appears, a red mark is displayed on a screen, etc. The company says that in order to make it unnecessary to have event-goers stand in front of the camera, it is important to make it difficult to crowd the area around the entrance. The company says it has addressed privacy concerns and that it wants this to be able to be used by around 2024.
New cosmetics brand intended for Gen Z men with great sense of aesthetics. (Asahi)
Kao has announced that it is entering the Gen Z male cosmetics market. Kao will sell a makeup base and water used for making up one's face aimed at Gen Z men on December 1. The brand is called UNLICS and its meanings include, "Curiosity about infinitely arousing beauty." Kao product development manager Kengo Miyao: "We want to create a society where people can pursue beauty as their curiosity guides them and talk about beauty." The market for cosmetics aimed at Gen Z men has grown 17% over the past 4 years and Shinseidou has also launched a new brand. Kao also plans to expand into Asia, mostly centered on China, in the future.
Sony develops avatar that mimics user's movements detected by sensor. (Asahi)
SONY has launched a new sensor that detects bodily movements and allows an avatar representing the user to mimic them. The sensors can be attached to the head, both arms, back, and both legs with 1 tiny sensor per area for a total of 6 and allow the avatar to reflect the user's movements. Reportedly, motion capture once required that data obtained from film shot in a special studio be digitized with a desktop or laptop, but with a combination of these sensors and a smartphone app, the user can can make a video with their avatar anywhere they want. SONY reportedly wants this to be used for applications like the Metaverse and fitness. The price is ¥49,500 and the plan is to sell it in late January.
Alcohol, tobacco to be available for purchase at self-checkout with My Number card. (Asahi)
Buying alcohol, tobacco, and other goods that cannot be purchased without confirmation of age with a My Number card at a self-checkout at a convenience store will become possible. It is currently necessary for an employee to verify the customer's age before a purchase can be made. The Digital Agency approved the practice of letting people use their My Number cards, smartphones equipped with them, etc. to confirm their age at self-checkouts at a November 30 meeting. Holding a My Number card up to a card reader at a self-checkout will be enough starting next February. Also, starting in May, the My Number card will be installed on smartphones, making it possible to confirm it with an app.
Nippn to raise price of 60 items including frozen pasta, Nissui to do same with 147 items including chikuwa. (Asahi)
Nippn has announced price increases ranging from 3%-13% for 60 items intended for household consumption including frozen pasta starting with the March 1, 2023 shipment. This is the 3rd price increase for frozen food this year and the 6th when foods like pasta are included. Also, Nissui has announced price increases ranging from 6%-30% for 147 surimi products and frozen foods including chikuwa. This will start February 1, 2023 for the frozen items and March 1, 2023 for everything else. The cause is the first spike in the price of Alaskan pollack in roughly 30 years.
"Electricity conservation points" rolled out in December, ¥6,000 to be given if conditions met. (Asahi)
In December, each electric company in Japan, including TEPCO and Tokyo Gas will launch a service in which they award points based on electricity conservation rates from December, when the Japanese government first requested that electricity be conserved. The Japanese government is also supporting businesses, and in addition to ¥2,000 worth of point with an application, they will eligible to receive a ¥1,000 for every 3% savings in electricity versus the same month the previous year starting in January. If every power saving condition is achieved, then in Tokyo, one would be given at least ¥6,000 worth of points by the end of March. It will be implemented by about 300 electric power companies, including 10 major ones.
Plaintiffs demand "cash compensation" 4 years after judgment of former requisitioned workers. (Asahi)
November 29 marked the 4th year since the South Korean Supreme Court handed down its decision regarding the ex-requisitioned workers, and a press conference was held that day in front of the South Korean Supreme Court where an early decision on cash compensation was demanded. In 2018, the South Korean Supreme ruled Mitsubishi Heavy Industries should compensate them. On November 29, the plaintiffs and their support group held a press conference in front of the South Korean Supreme Court to state that they demand an apology and compensation from the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and a swift decision from the South Korean Supreme Court on the cash compensation. Meanwhile, the South Korean government is continuing to examine alternatives to providing cash that include having a South Korean foundation take over reparations.
December 3, 2022:
3 Japanese electricity companies recognized to have formed cartel by Fair Trade Commission, ordered to pay surcharge. (Asahi)
The Fair Trade Commission sent notices to 3 electric power companies—Chubu Electric Power Company, Chugoku Electric Power Company, and Kyushu Electric Power Company—that is ordering them to pay a surcharge for forming an electricity selling cartel. The 3 companies—Chubu, Chugoku, and Kyushu—are suspected of forming an electricity cartel, that is, conspiring not to sell electricity in each other's areas, by the Fair Trade Commission, which conducted onsite inspections from April-June of last year. According to an anonymous source connected with this, the Fair Trade Commission has adjudicated this as a violation of antitrust law and has sent each one a notice that it is going to consider ordering them to pay a surcharge. Each company's fine is ¥27.5 billion, ¥2.7 billion, and not yet announced for Chubu, Kyushu, and Chugoku, respectively.
Honda to add automatic brake to ward off danger of inattentive drivers. (Asahi)
Honda has announced a launch of proprietary safety technology aimed at avoiding such dangers as inattentive driving. Honda SENSING360 predicts the mental state and risk of the driver on the highway and uses alarms, etc. to gradually get their attention. Moreover, it will come with capabilities like automatic braking and steering wheel control in order to avoid collisions. They said that they realized that, "Detection of danger is better than quickly averting it." Honda plans to add this technology to its vehicles one after another starting in 2024.
"Price hike rush" possible next year, over 4,000 food items affected. (Asahi)
Price increases for over 4,000 food items are planned for next year. A "price hike rush" for February seems likely. According to Teikoku Databank, as of last month, ones for 4,425 food items are planned for next year. It is expected that during this month, the total of processed food items like frozen foods and confectioneries that have had their prices increased will reach 5,000, which is the most, and next year, this will accelerate, with average price increases 17% higher than this year's. In addition to the continuing high average cost of raw ingredients, electricity, and gas, the primary factors of the rapid depreciation of the yen and rising cost of logistics and labor are diversifying and complicating, and the possibility of a February "price hike rush" like the average for this past October is high.
Consumer survey done, downward adjustment made per keynote decision for 2nd straight month.(Asahi)
The Consumer Sentiment Index has been falling for 3 straight months, and for the last 2, it has been revised downward. The Cabinet Office announced the Consumer Trend Survey and the Consumer Psychology Index has fallen 1.3 points compared with last month for a total of 28.6 points, which represents the 3rd consecutive month in which it has fallen. The measures on the entire survey including "trends in life circumstances from now on", have gotten worse, but this is particularly true of the "will buying durable goods get better after the first half of the year" index, and the record for lowness has been broken for 3 consecutive months. Meanwhile, 64.1% answered that, "commodity prices will rise over 5% after 1 year," the highest ever.
Japanese government reveals preliminary calculations that childrearing support will increase household income over 40% by 2030. (Asahi)
The Japanese government revealed at the December 1 Economic and Fiscal Advisory Council meeting that its preliminary calculations indicated that if it doubled childrearing support and increased employment of women, then households with children would experience a rise in household income of over 40% by 2030. According to the Cabinet Office's preliminary calculations, if the Japanese government were increase childrearing supports like the child-care allowance and thereby increase the regular employment rate of women by 30% and bring it up to the Scandinavian average, then the incomes of households consisting of 30-40-year-old couples with children would rise 44%. Meanwhile, the household income of single people would rise by only 17%. Upon receiving this, a member of the Economic and Fiscal Advisory Council issued a proposal saying that, "We must put together a package of policy measures aimed at expanding childrearing support and increasingly normalizing women's employment."
LG to release "Television with freely flexible screen" with high-quality image, enjoyable immersive feel for sale next month. (Asahi)
LG Electronics Japan is releasing a television with a flexible screen that can bend 20° from a its default flattened state for sale next January. The curvature, height, angle, etc. can be changed because it is not backlit. It is the first Japanese television that can be adjusted with a remote control and its biggest feature is the high-quality picture, which gives video games, movies, etc. an enjoyable immersive feel. It is said that LG Electronics Japan, after it further studies the market for television, will consider developing a television set greater than 42 in.
That's all for now.
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