What Makes Us Stronger
Environment change
I’m temporarily back in Japan. Feeling a bit inconvenienced by the spread of Covid (especially Omicron) across the world, I feel much more relaxed staying in Japan.
For the past two years, I was so stressed out from staying in a small island country which is directly beneath the equator. I was stuck in a can called Singapore.
Our new Puppy
This situation couldn’t stop me from welcoming a new puppy into our place. My decision I chose instinctively was right.
Our ‘’Sora’’ is a male Maltipoo dog. It is a popular cross of the Maltese and Poodle. Because I dream of flying around the world again, he is called ‘’Sora”. It means ‘’Sky’’ in Japanese. Even while I’m writing this letter to you now, he is sleeping on my lap. During the daytime, he is a bit of a brat. I have hard time training him.
However, having someone or something to protect makes us stronger. As for me, Sora made me much stronger than before.
Biz trip to Europe for the First Time in a While
I’m flying again soon!
By the way, I decided to go on a biz trip to Europe for the first time in a while. Bulgaria and Switzerland are my destinations. In Switzerland, I booked a hotel where I stayed decades ago when I first visited there for a fund business.
At that time, I really didn’t know my way around. I was both nerves and excited.
Will I be able to talk to the people there? Am I dining out with them after the meeting? If so, what will the dress code be?
I remember going there for three nights. This allowed me an extra day before and after the meeting that lasted only an hour. I had plenty of time to walk back and forth between the lake and the hotel restaurant.
Depending on Our Way of Thinking, Environment Changes
Meanwhile, the world is balancing its economy and steadily opening its borders, Asian countries are still prioritizing all sort of things for COVID-19. In the eyes of the West, those countries are giving excessive priority to COVID-19 countermeasures.
Japan in particular is perceived as a closed country. People determine that it is difficult to do business there. In fact, some European companies have cancelled their planned investments in Japan.
Warning toward the current environment
It is time for measures to be taken to prevent the lost 20 years in Japan from turning into 30 or 40 years. Unfortunately, it does not seem that we are moving in that direction so far.We need more effort to overcome the COVID-19.
However, it is clear that something NEW is happening in this forced change of living environment.
Launch of businesses by the youth
The number of young people starting their own businesses is increasing. They launch their new businesses before graduating from university. This was thanks to the environment where they stay home and engage in indoor activities.
Consequence, they were able to have time and turn their ideas into businesses.
Any environment can work positively depending on our way of thinking. I’m sure we can still come up with new ideas. As I watch how things change, I believe that I myself must continue to change without stopping.
Stock Market Situation 2022 Jan - Feb
The stock market has fallen sharply since the beginning of the year. This was due to expectations of a hike in U.S. interest rates. However, it is now beginning to recover.
I would like to keep a close eye not only on the stock market and the surrounding environment, but also on the exchange rate, interest rate, and inflation trends.
I am looking forward to sending you the next letter from somewhere in Europe.
See you soon.
Masahiko Kumada
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