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教員の備忘録

May 28th(Tuesday): The Dictionary of Snobs

"The Dictionary of Snobs" (Zokubutsu Zukan) is a novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui, published by Shinchosha 52 years ago in 1972. I remember reading it over a few days in my dorm room when I was a freshman in Waseda University (1981).

The bizarre characters and relationships of the snobs gathered at the critic agency "Ryōzanpaku Productions" were not only out of the ordinary, but the critics' actions and statements regarding their special themes for society were deeply insightful. This made me realize the futility of simplistic thinking when considering ways of living.

Furthermore, after finishing the book, I remember being struck by an inexpressible sense of humor and a cynically skewed perspective on society, which left me in a state of mental paralysis and lingering aftereffects for a while.

When I read this novel (though it was published in 1972) in the 1980s, Japan was still full of vitality, with a clear, shared national goal of catching up with the Western countries. Despite various societal issues, there was a sense of optimism, a willingness to work hard, and an overall bright and constructive atmosphere in society.

In contrast, what about Japan today? Faced with the unclear goal of achieving "carbon neutrality by 2050," we are unable to decide on concrete policy designs. When the United States, now an energy-exporting country, criticizes the decarbonization outlook of the International Energy Agency (IEA)—which has represented the views of energy-consuming countries—we see "experts" wagging their tails and joining the criticism of the IEA.

The eccentric critics in "The Dictionary of Snobs" seem much more trustworthy to me now.

May 27th(Monday): About Bicycle Lights

When riding a bicycle from evening to nighttime, turning on the lights is essential. Bicycles are considered light vehicles, and there are detailed regulations, starting with Article 52 of the Road Traffic Act and various local ordinances, that mandate the use of lights on bicycles at night. In recent years, advancements in LED technology have made bicycle headlights and taillights brighter. Am I the only one who feels that the headlights of cars and bicycles have become particularly dazzling? When oncoming cars or bicycles switch to high beams, it becomes so blinding from the opposite direction that I often can't see ahead, making for many "heart-stopping" dangerous moments.

There are three indicators of brightness: lumens (lm, total luminous flux), candelas (cd, luminous intensity), and lux (lux, illuminance). Generally, when choosing a bicycle headlight, it's important to consider both lumens and candelas. The headlight on my current bicycle is 350 lumens. With this, I can see ahead clearly and feel safe even when riding at 20 km/h at night without streetlights. Additionally, taillights are a very important item for city riding at night. The highest probability of a cyclist being killed by a car is in rear-end collisions at night.

Recently, I've occasionally encountered cyclists who speed at night with headlights over 1,000 lumens on high beam, rushing towards me. Worse still, there are those who rush with their headlights flashing. I have a request for bicycle headlight manufacturers regarding this: should the flashing function of bicycle headlights be removed? What situations necessitate the use of the flashing function while riding a bicycle at night? Every time I face a bicycle with flashing lights, my irritation grows.

May 26th(Sunday): Warai no Naikaku

Warai no Naikaku is a theater company that was founded in Kyoto 19 years ago, in 2005, with Hibiki Takama serving as the director, playwright, and producer. The company focuses on wrestling plays, political satire, and contemporary comedy, and has performed numerous shows both domestically and internationally.

The titles of Warai no Naikaku's past productions, as far as I could find, are: 1st Warai no Naikaku "It's Tough Being a Mistress," 2nd "Late Night Gozulla Live," 3rd "Vice Principal," 4th "Storms Rage Again in the White Mat Jungle," 5th "Mad Booze Thunder Road," 6th "Roaring Beasts in the Three-Rope Jungle," 7th "THE SCHOOL OF THE RING," 8th "Laughing Expo," 9th "Goodbye, Nisento-kun: A Three-Count on Your Heart," 10th and 11th unknown, 12th "Our Pro-Wrestling Isn't Anti-Social," 13th "Unpatriotic Culture Festival," 14th "The Struggle Against Paid Rehearsal Spaces by the Goofy Trio," 15th "My Friend Turned Right-Wing," 16th "Non-Existent Girl Nolte-chan," 17th "Entertainment Business Act from Age 65," 18th "My Friend Turned Right-Wing" (revival), 19th "Plan to Stage Fukushima Daiichi: Dawn Edition 'Super Amazing! Fukushima Trip,'" 20th "Honorary Male Suzuko," 21st "Takamanism Declaration," 22nd "Late Night Gozulla Live 2020," 23rd "Except for the Yakuza," 24th "Japan-Korea-USA-Spring Tsure-Uyo Festival," 25th "Honorary Male Suzuko" (revival), 26th "Don't Go That Far, Molière," 27th "Except for the Yakuza" (revival), 28th "Tokyo's Demise: Imphal 2020+1," 29th "King Lear with a Pillow," 30th "Why Can't You Become a City Council Member," and 31st "Gomera's Counterattack: Osaka Expo Close Call."

Each production is characterized by its satire, humor, and social commentary, often addressing contemporary issues in a way that naturally invites a range of opinions. Many of the productions evoke a sense of nostalgia for the Showa era.

The 32nd Warai no Naikaku production, "12 Childless Japanese," will be performed from Thursday, May 30 to Monday, June 3 at THEATRE E9 KYOTO in Kyoto City, with a runtime of 100 minutes.

The Komaba Agora Theater in Tokyo (Artistic Director Oriza Hirata) will close at the end of May 2024. Although the operating body, Agora Kikaku, will continue, I believe that a country that lacks the power to enrich grassroots culture like this will eventually decline.

May 25th (Saturday): The Banknotes are Changing

In Japan, on July 3rd of this year, banknotes (Bank of Japan notes) will be changed for the first time in 20 years. The currently circulating banknotes can still be used. The 10,000 yen, 5,000 yen, and 1,000 yen notes will be redesigned using world-class anti-counterfeiting technology. The designs will feature Eiichi Shibusawa (front) and Tokyo Station (back) on the 10,000 yen note, Umeko Tsuda (front) and wisteria flowers (back) on the 5,000 yen note, and Shibasaburo Kitasato (front) and Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (back) on the 1,000 yen note. It has been decided that the number of notes to be issued in 2024 will be 1.83 billion for the 10,000 yen note, 210 million for the 5,000 yen note, and 910 million for the 1,000 yen note. Surprisingly, the 10,000 yen note will be issued in the highest quantity, contrary to the expectation that the 1,000 yen note would be the most issued.

Banknotes, along with coins, are called currency, with banknotes issued by the Bank of Japan and coins issued by the government. In Japan, since the Bank of Japan is the only issuing bank, banknotes are called Bank of Japan notes (banknotes). On July 3rd of this year, new banknotes will be issued when financial institutions that have current accounts with the Bank of Japan withdraw the new notes from their accounts at the Bank of Japan.

According to the Bank of Japan, the average lifespan of banknotes is about 4 to 5 years for the 10,000 yen note and about 1 to 2 years for the 5,000 yen and 1,000 yen notes. Banknotes that are judged unfit for circulation as a result of inspections by the Bank of Japan are shredded and discarded, and replaced with new notes.

Japanese shrines (such as Ise Jingu and Kamigamo Shrine) have maintained and expanded their facilities and treasures every 21 years through a process called “Shikinen Sengu.” Similarly, in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of systems such as the currency, legal system, and social infrastructure, it is likely that reviews and refurbishments are essential.

The next banknote redesign will probably occur around 2044, 20 years from now. By then, digital currencies and similar innovations may become prevalent, and it is uncertain whether the current currency system will still exist in its present form.

May 24th (Friday): Simultaneous Emergence of Prime Number Cicadas (Periodical Cicadas)

The least common multiple of 13 and 17 is 221. In certain states of North America, there are unique “13-year cicadas” and “17-year cicadas” that emerge as adults every 13 and 17 years, respectively. This year, 2024, is one of those rare years when both types will emerge simultaneously. It is expected that over a trillion cicadas will appear in these specific states. This mass emergence is predicted to result in noise and impacts on other ecosystems (such as an increase in insect consumption by humans and more food for birds), although the overall damage might not be significant.

The last simultaneous emergence occurred in 1803, during the presidency of Thomas Jefferson, one of the drafters of the American Declaration of Independence and the 3rd President of the United States from the Democratic-Republican Party. In Japan, it was the late Edo period, during the tenure of the 11th Shogun Tokugawa Ienari, who is known for the Kansei Reforms and for having many children, and who served the longest term as shogun (from 1787 to 1837).

According to National Geographic, these prime number cicadas (periodical cicadas) have black bodies, red eyes, and wings with reddish-orange veins. They are known as Brood XIII of the 17-year cicadas and Brood XIX of the 13-year cicadas. Iowa and Illinois, in particular, where both the “13-year cicadas” and “17-year cicadas” will emerge simultaneously, are expected to face a significant situation.

It is unclear what exactly happened during the previous emergence in 1803. As witnesses to this historical event that occurs only once every 221 years, we are keen to observe and see what unfolds.

May 23rd(Thursday): Violet Flowers

Last autumn, I bought some violet seeds online from "Sakata Seed Corporation," which is headquartered in Nakamachidai, Tsuzuki Ward, Yokohama. I planted them in pots with potting soil outside the window of my laboratory at Kyoto Sangyo University, in a spot that gets quite a bit of sunlight.

From the beginning of this year, the seeds began to sprout steadily. By mid-February, large, lush green leaves started to unfurl, and by early April, the flowers began to bloom. As of May 23rd, various flowers are in bloom, including deep purple, light purple, yellow, white, and maroon. Most violet flowers have a structure with five petals: a pair of symmetrical upper petals, a pair of symmetrical lateral petals, and one lower petal.

According to Tomitaro Makino, a Japanese plant taxonomist, the name "sumire" is derived from "sumiire" (a carpenter's tool for marking wood), as the shape of the violet flower resembles this tool.

One notable episode related to violets is a quote from the brilliant mathematician Kiyoshi Oka, who taught at Kyoto Sangyo University in his later years:

"The violet just needs to bloom as a violet, and it doesn't concern itself with the impact it may have on the spring fields. As for me, I live simply by the joy of studying mathematics."

Additionally, I am fond of a haiku by the Meiji-era literary master Natsume Soseki:

"I wish I were born as small as a violet."

And from the 17th-century Edo-period haiku poet Matsuo Basho, there is this haiku:

"On the mountain path, how charming—violet flowers."

May 22nd(Wednesday): The Wisteria Trellis at Byodo-in Temple in Uji

Three years ago, on April 22, 2021, I rode my bicycle round trip from Horikawa Matsubara in Shimogyo Ward to Byodo-in Temple in Uji Renge, Uji City (founded by Fujiwara no Yorimichi) to see the wisteria trellis.

This turned out to be an unexpectedly challenging journey. On the map, since my current location is along Aburanokoji Street, I simply headed south, passing through Shichijo Street, Hachijo Street, and Kujo Street, and by the Nintendo headquarters building. At some point, I headed east, but once I entered Fushimi Ward, it became a steep mountain path with varying elevations. Eventually, I passed by Fushimi Momoyama Castle, Fushimi Momoyama Mausoleum of Emperor Meiji, Rokujizo, Uji Hospital, and Kyoto University Uji Campus (Obaku), crossed the Uji River, and arrived at Byodo-in Temple.

The steep uphill and downhill sections were a blind spot that I didn’t notice just by looking at the map. The journey was much longer than I had anticipated. At one point, while riding my bicycle, I got lost and asked an elderly passerby, "Which way is Byodo-in Temple in Uji?" She replied, "Are you really going to Byodo-in by bicycle from here?" Later, I understood well why she found it curious.

Three years ago, in 2021, we were in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, but I was strongly impressed by the beautiful wisteria flowers on the trellis at Byodo-in Temple in Uji. Uji is a town associated with Murasaki Shikibu, and the last ten chapters of "The Tale of Genji," known as "The Uji Chapters," are set in Uji.

May 21st(Tuesday): Energy Self-Sufficiency Rate

Primary energy refers to energy resources (energy) that we obtain in their naturally occurring forms from the natural environment. Coal, crude oil, natural gas, hydropower, nuclear power, and renewable energy are examples of primary energy. In contrast, secondary energy refers to petroleum products, city gas, electricity, and other forms of energy obtained through the "energy conversion" of primary energy.

The ratio of domestically produced primary energy to primary energy consumption is called the "primary energy self-sufficiency rate" and is often used as a measure of energy security. A primary energy self-sufficiency rate exceeding 100% means that the country is an energy exporter. As of 2021, Japan's primary energy self-sufficiency rate was 13.4%, meaning it relied on foreign energy for 86.6% of its consumption.

In the United States, the "Shale Revolution" began in earnest around 2006, and by 2019, the primary energy self-sufficiency rate exceeded 100%. Since President Nixon of the Republican administration during the first oil crisis in 1973 set "energy independence" as a national strategic goal, it took 46 years for the United States to achieve this goal in 2019.

However, the Shale Revolution, which enabled the United States to achieve energy independence, symbolizes a carbon society (the exact opposite of the transition to a decarbonized society), and as of 2021, the United States' dependence on fossil energy (coal, oil, natural gas) was about 81%. This implies that in the remaining 29 years (from 2021) until 2050, the United States aims to achieve net-zero carbon neutrality, raising the question of whether this is feasible.

On the other hand, the dependence on renewable energy is rising in EU member states, the UK, Japan, and other countries. While this appears to contribute to reducing carbon dioxide emissions during power generation, from an energy security perspective, it cannot be simply regarded as domestically produced energy. Even if utilizing natural energy, if the solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and other components or energy infrastructure equipment required for energy conversion are dependent on specific countries, it means that energy security is weakened.

This involves an invisible system called the economy, making it an exceedingly complex issue.

May 20th(Monday): May Twilight

Kyoto Sangyo University's Kamigamo Campus is adjacent to Kamigamo Shrine and Kyoto Golf Club's Kamigamo Course in Kita Ward, Kyoto City. Surrounded by mountains and forests, the campus is blessed with an exceedingly rich natural environment. The university has 10 faculties and 10 graduate schools with 14 majors, all concentrated at this single location in Rakuhoku's Kamigamo area.

Certainly, if you ask whether Kamigamo is geographically inconvenient, the answer is "yes." However, for students living far from this area, I recommend living near Kamigamo for four years (or for the number of years necessary to obtain a degree in graduate school), if possible. Isolating oneself from the hustle and bustle of the world to immerse deeply in studies and hone specialized skills is extremely important in the era of a 100-year life span, at least in my opinion.

Moreover, in today's age of labor shortages, part-time job opportunities around the university are plentiful. If students can live alone, they can earn the necessary living expenses themselves, and if they study diligently, they can receive scholarships. The number of student apartments around the university is also increasing.

Kyoto Sangyo University was founded in 1965, and now more than 3,000 students graduate annually. As of March 2024, the total number of graduates has exceeded 160,000. In "Makurano-soshi" by Sei Shonagon(written in the age of Heian era), it is written that spring is dawn, summer is night, autumn is twilight, and winter is early morning. I believe that fostering individuals who appreciate the changing seasons and possess a kind heart is essential for developing sustainable human resources and green transformation (GX) personnel, as these qualities form the fundamental abilities required.

Although it is not autumn, even in May, one can observe the thin, trailing clouds at twilight from the Kamigamo Campus.

May 19th (Sunday): Firefly Viewing

Last night, I chose the Kamo River (Kamo-gawa) riverbank route on my way home from a university in Kamigamo, Kita Ward, Kyoto City, to Shimogyo Ward. The route home is a downhill path, and at night, there are unlit bicycles and people in dark clothing running and walking along the riverbank, so I decided to ride my mountain bike carefully and slowly.

The Misosogi River near the Ebisugawa-dori on the Kamo River is famous for firefly viewing at this time of year. Fortunately, last night, I was able to experience a magical moment as dozens of fireflies danced along both banks of the Misosogi River. Many people visit this spot specifically for firefly viewing. It is said that firefly viewing can be enjoyed here for a while longer, and fireflies can also be seen in the stream within the Kamigamo Shrine grounds until early June.

By the way, from May 1st to September 30th, the Kamogawa Noryo-Yuka (riverside dining platforms) are open. It is said that the riverside dining tradition started in the Momoyama period of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and now it can be enjoyed on the right bank of Kamogawa (in the areas of Kamikiyacho, Pontocho, Saiseki, and Shimokiyacho). Until the Meiji period, there were establishments on both banks of the Kamogawa. During the Edo period, Kamogawa's riverside platforms were said to have both low tables by the water and elevated platforms, but now only the elevated platforms remain.

Similarly, the Kibune riverside dining "kawadoko" in Kyoto, which started in the Taisho period as a rest spot along the Saba Kaido (Mackerel Road), involves placing low tables on the river to enjoy riverside cuisine, making riverside dining (both "kawayuka" and "kawadoko") one of Kyoto's seasonal traditions.

May 18th(Saturday): Kakitsubata at Ota Shrine

Ota Shrine is located about 800 meters east of the main grounds of Kamigamo Shrine (Kamo Wakeikazuchi Shrine) in Kita Ward, Kyoto City. It is said to be the oldest shrine in Kamo, predating the relocation of the Kamo clan to Kamigamo. After the establishment of Kamigamo Shrine, Ota Shrine became a subsidiary shrine of Kamigamo Shrine.

Ota Shrine has a history of deep faith from local farmers, worshipped as a deity of longevity and good fortune (improvement in arts, longevity).

While many people visit Kamigamo Shrine, few seem to visit Ota Shrine, the oldest shrine in the area. Every year, around May 15, during the Aoi Matsuri procession, the irises (kakitsubata) bloom in clusters on the east side of the approach to Ota Shrine at Ota no Sawa, displaying beautiful deep purple flowers.

Therefore, today, amid a daytime temperature rise to 30°C, I took a detour on my mountain bike from Aburanokoji-dori Takatsuji in Shimogyo Ward to the university campus in Kamigamo, heading a bit east from the front of Kamigamo Shrine to see the irises at Ota no Sawa of Ota Shrine (designated a natural monument in 1939). It seems like the timing for visiting was a bit late.

As more people come to visit Ota Shrine, we can ensure that such historically and culturally significant resources of Japan are passed on to future generations. For those who haven't been yet, it is a highly recommended place to visit.

May 17th(Friday): Efforts to Heal the Fatigue from the COVID-19 Pandemic

The pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, which was previously unknown, began around the end of 2019. The term "COVID-19 pandemic" came to be used to describe the various disastrous situations triggered by this pandemic. When the pandemic first started, there was a period of heightened anxiety due to the uncertainty about what was happening and what the future would hold. Nearly five years have now passed, and we are finally in a position to start looking back and examining the situation.

While browsing the NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute's website, I came across a thought-provoking explanation regarding the use of the term "COVID-19 pandemic." It was described as follows:

"There is a perspective that we should be cautious about using the convenient term 'COVID-19 pandemic' in the first place. The impacts of the novel coronavirus are incredibly complex and severe, ranging from individual infection risks to medical, economic, and even international issues. While the term 'COVID-19 pandemic' has the advantage of encompassing all these aspects, it also has the disadvantage of reducing the complex and severe nature of these issues to a single phrase without careful explanation."

Indeed, the scope of the term "COVID-19 pandemic" is broad, and it can easily be associated with the fatigue and dissatisfaction at various levels—individual, organizational, societal, national, regional, and global. In fact, there are those who blame the pandemic when global responses to climate change falter. The same goes for regional conflicts and wars between nations. It applies equally to national governance, social management, corporate operations, and individual lives.

I believe the time has come for us to devise ways to heal the fatigue caused by the pandemic at all these levels—individual, organizational, societal, national, regional, and global. Humanity needs new values that are inclusive and sustainable, allowing everyone to live, rather than focusing on "striving," "improvement," or "efficiency" as was the case before the pandemic.

May 16th(Thursday): Doubts about Mass Media Reporting on Gasoline Subsidies

According to ENEOS Holdings' announcement on May 14 regarding their consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending March 2024 (IFRS), net profit doubled from the previous year to 288.1 billion yen. This increase is attributed to a rise in profit margins on petroleum products such as gasoline and diesel by approximately 3 yen per liter.

According to Nikkei's report, ENEOS Holdings announced that it would implement a share buyback of over 200 billion yen (up to 680 million shares, 22.68% of outstanding shares excluding treasury stock) for the fiscal year ending March 2025, stating that the steady profit margins on petroleum products are improving performance, thereby enhancing shareholder returns and capital efficiency. Similarly, Idemitsu Kosan announced a share buyback of up to 70 billion yen for the fiscal year ending March 2025, and Cosmo Energy Holdings announced a share buyback of up to 23 billion yen.

In Japan, gasoline subsidies began in January 2022 and have been extended seven times, continuing to be provided. It is infuriating to hear claims that such subsidies contribute to improving capital efficiency. Additionally, the lack of media coverage pointing out these issues is perplexing.

Moreover, there is skepticism towards the Nikkei Flash News article from May 10, 2024, titled "Japan's Gasoline Prices Lowest in G7: Temporary Subsidies Distort Market Prices." The article states that "the background to Japan's suppressed gasoline prices is the government’s gasoline subsidies." It cites the average dollar-denominated gasoline prices per liter for the G7 in March 2024 (according to IEA), pointing out that Japan's prices are the lowest. However, in March 2024, the yen was weak against the dollar, making it natural for prices to appear lower in dollar terms. Are Japanese consumers paying for gasoline in dollars domestically? It seems the article uses convenient figures to misleadingly guide readers in a certain direction. Gasoline subsidies do not necessarily make Japan's gasoline prices lower.

Additionally, there are articles suggesting that power outages in Vietnam were caused by the Vietnamese government's rush into decarbonization investments, inspired by the EU's Green New Deal, neglecting domestic power supply plans. Such content aims to drive readers towards a specific conclusion.

Mass media should report facts neutrally and must refrain from providing articles that guide readers toward a particular viewpoint based on specific value judgments.

May 15th (Wednesday): Aoi Matsuri

In Kyoto, May 15 is the annual day for the Aoi Matsuri (Kamo Festival) "Roto no Gi" as part of the regular festivities. The "Roto no Gi" involves a procession that covers approximately 8 kilometers between Shimogamo Shrine (Kamo Mioya Shrine) and Kamigamo Shrine (Kamo Wakeikazuchi Shrine). The procession, which stretches about 1 kilometer long, features participants dressed in Heian period costumes. The procession includes Gosho-guruma(imperial palace carriages) adorned with wisteria flowers, courtiers, and attendants, with everyone wearing the hollyhock and katsura decorations (Kikkei), which entwine two-leafed hollyhock crests of Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shrines with branches of katsura. Since the Edo period, this festival has been known as Aoi Matsuri.

This year, due to the appearance of the story about the ‘carriage dispute’ during the Kamo Festival (Aoi Festival) in ‘The Tale of Genji,’ written by Murasaki Shikibu, the protagonist of NHK’s historical drama ‘Hikaru Kimi e,’ it is expected that more tourists than usual will visit.

Today’s Gosho-guruma is adorned with wisteria flowers. The image below depicts the revived Kamo Festival procession during the Meiji era, captured in the Mitsui family’s inherited scroll titled ‘Kamo Aoi Matsuri Gyoshō No Zu’ (painted by Hoshino Sensui, with gold and silver embellishments, housed in the Central Library of Kyoto Sangyo University). However, it appears that wisteria flowers were not part of the decoration on the Gosho-guruma during the Meiji-era revival of the Kamo Festival’s procession.

The Aoi Matsuri, along with the Gion Matsuri (July) and the Jidai Matsuri (October), is one of Kyoto's three major festivals, making it a quintessential Kyoto tradition.

May 14th (Tuesday): Definition of GX Personnel

In Japan, the GX League (a group of companies actively working on decarbonization under the auspices of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) today (May 14th) established and announced the definition of the term "GX personnel." GX is an abbreviation for Green Transformation. As efforts toward decarbonization have become more widespread in Japanese society, the term "GX personnel" has been increasingly used, but so far, it has been used ambiguously, with the image preceding the definition.

Specifically, by defining the roles GX personnel play and the knowledge they should acquire, the GX League has merely established the "GX skill standards." This approach is said to adhere to the method used when defining DX (Digital Transformation) personnel.

Wouldn't it be more accurate to understand that a narrow definition of GX personnel has been clarified? Here, GX personnel are classified into four types: GX Analysts (who calculate greenhouse gas emissions), GX Strategists (who devise reduction plans), GX Inventors (who advance technological development for plan implementation), and GX Communicators (who facilitate negotiations with stakeholders). Each type of personnel is further defined into levels 1 to 4 based on the roles and skills they possess, making it easier to visualize goal setting and evaluation when nurturing talent.

However, these methods bear both merits and demerits. It's essential to carefully observe them to ensure that broad meanings of GX personnel are not excluded as a result of the prevalence of narrow definitions.

May 13th (Monday): "University DX" for Student Growth

Kyoto Sangyo University has been actively introducing University DX (Digital Transformation) for student growth. In 1966, a computing center was established on campus, followed by the establishment of the Computer Science Research Institute in 1968. In 1976, the university installed the DEC-2040 electronic computer on campus (continuously updated to the latest computers) and set up Japan's first online information processing classroom. In 2008, the Faculty of Computer Engineering was established, and in 2018, the Faculty of Information Engineering was established. Thus, our university has been one of the pioneering universities in Japan to engage in DX.

In June 2023, Kyoto Sangyo University signed a comprehensive collaboration agreement with SoftBank Corp. and LINE Yahoo Japan Corporation on "Realization and Research of New Student Life Utilizing Advanced Technology." As part of this agreement, in March 2024, the university introduced the first dialogue engine in Japan for universities, "PKSHA AI Help Desk for Microsoft Teams." Specifically, this is a dialogue engine developed by the PKSHA Technology Group that utilizes deep learning and natural language processing (NLP) and is available on the university website and Microsoft Teams used by students and faculty.

For generative AI, Kyoto Sangyo University has officially contracted with Microsoft "Copilot" (ChatGPT4), providing a safe environment for all students and faculty to use it securely without the risk of information leakage when searching for questions or queries. It emphasizes the importance of actively promoting the thoughtful and meaningful use of generative AI, noting that the information provided by generative AI may not always be accurate and should not be directly used in exams or reports.

May 12th (Sunday): Hiragino Koban and the steep hill

One of the toughest spots on my cycling route for commuting to university (a round trip of 14 km from Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City to Kamigamo Ward, Kyoto Prefecture) is the steep hill near Hiragino Koban of Kyoto Prefectural North Police Station. One reason I deliberately use a mountain bike is to conquer this steep hill. Additionally, the road is narrow, and large vehicles such as trucks, cement mixer trucks, and buses frequently pass. When climbing the steep hill, if I don't ride straight on the left side of the road, I often risk being hit by passing vehicles' mirrors from behind.

Behind Hiragino Koban is the dense forest of Kamigamo Shrine (sometimes startled by bird nests and the cries of birds) and the expansive green lawn of Kyoto Golf Club's Kamigamo Course. Previously, when climbing this hill on my bicycle, I considered it dangerous to ride on the narrow and steep ascent where many large vehicles travel, so I used to ride on the pedestrian side road with a fence. During a "Fall Traffic Safety Week," I believe, I was cautioned by a police officer from Hiragino Koban not to ride a bicycle on the pedestrian path. However, I recall explaining to another police officer, before that "Fall Traffic Safety Week," that "this is a narrow road with a steep incline, and many large vehicles travel, so it's dangerous, which is why I ride on the pedestrian path with a fence," and I was told, "Well, then there's no helping it," so I assumed it was allowed. 

A conversation with a police officer during one "Fall Traffic Safety Week" went as follows:

Police Officer: You shouldn't ride here because this is a pedestrian-only road. Ride on the left side of the road.

Me: Since many large vehicles travel here, isn't it dangerous to ride a bicycle on this narrow, steep ascent? What if I get injured?

Police Officer: That's the problem of the parties involved.

Me: ...

Indeed, one wonders who the police officers are working for. Surely, they must be convinced that designing road safety policies is not their job.

May 11th (Saturday): National Cycle Routes

In Japan, there is now a national strategy being deployed through the utilization of bicycles. The utilization of bicycles contributes to the creation of tourist areas, agile utilization during disasters, promotion of health, alleviation of traffic congestion, and measures to prevent global warming. Consequently, bicycle promotion plans have been implemented in Japan, and on May 1, 2017, the "Bicycle Utilization Promotion Act" was enacted with the purpose of promoting the comprehensive and systematic utilization of bicycles. As a result, May 5th is designated as "Bicycle Day" and May as "Bicycle Month" in Japan.

Furthermore, in June 2018, as a measure of the bicycle utilization promotion plan, the "National Cycle Route System" was established to develop the environment for cycle tourism from both soft and hard aspects (such as road conditions, rest/accommodation facilities, and information dissemination). Certain cycling routes meeting specific requirements are designated as "National Cycle Routes" by the government.

Currently, in Japan, six routes have been designated: Tokapuchi400, Pacific Cycling Road, Toyama Bay Cycling Route, Tsukuba-Kasumigaura Ring-Ring Road, Biwaichi, and SHIMANAMI KAIDO Cycling Road. However, it is anticipated that more routes will be added in the future, aiming to create a nationwide network eventually.

Among these, Biwaichi (circumnavigation of Lake Biwa) in Shiga Prefecture has a total length of 193 km, offering a cycle route that circumnavigates Lake Biwa counterclockwise. It is recommended to plan for a one or two-night trip to complete the circuit. Along the way, it's possible to take shortcuts along the lakeside using boats or transport bicycles on trains on the Omi Railway.

I've also long harbored the desire to take on the challenge of Biwaichi, and this year, I'm determined to make it happen.

May 10th (Friday): Gasoline Subsidies and Renewable Energy Surcharge

The Japanese government (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) has been providing subsidies to petroleum wholesalers and importers under the guise of mitigating the soaring gasoline retail prices as part of the Fuel Oil Price Fluctuation Mitigation Measures implemented on January 27, 2022. Last November of 2023, the Board of Audit of Japan disclosed its opinion on the evaluation of this subsidy program for fuel oil price fluctuation mitigation measures, stating that "it is doubtful whether it is effective in suppressing gasoline prices." Nonetheless, despite the initial assertion that the subsidy program would be implemented only temporarily and as an emergency measure, the deadline for the program, which had already passed two years and three months by April 30th of 2024, was extended for the seventh time. The next deadline is currently unknown. The budget for this subsidy program has exceeded 6 trillion yen cumulatively, and if it continues to be extended, it will increase further.

On the other hand, the "Renewable Energy Generation Promotion Surcharge Unit Price" set by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry for fiscal year 2024 (from May 24 to April 25) was raised by approximately 2 yen from 1.40 yen/kWh in fiscal year 2023 to 3.49 yen/kWh (3.45 yen/kWh in fiscal year 2022). We, as electricity consumers, have to pay this surcharge, which is calculated by multiplying the renewable energy surcharge unit price by the amount of electricity used, along with our monthly electricity bills. This renewable energy surcharge is allocated to the funding of the FIT (Feed-in Tariff) system and FIP (Feed-in Premium) for renewable energy.

Comparing the renewable energy surcharge with gasoline subsidies helps to understand part of the reason why there is no clear exit strategy for gasoline subsidies. In other words, while the renewable energy surcharge is added to monthly electricity bills, and electricity users can recognize the amount as part of their monthly cash outlay, gasoline subsidies are perceived to benefit only gasoline vehicle users (further complicated by the fact that the subsidies are not directly provided to retail businesses or gasoline vehicle users). In reality, however, there is an income transfer to petroleum wholesalers and importers. While the source of the subsidies is covered by taxpayers' money, the lack of recognition of the amount as a monthly cash outlay makes it difficult to notice the continuing increase in hidden debts.

May 9th (Thursday): Disposal Issue of Solar Panels

In Japan, the introduction of the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) system for renewable energy, which began in July 2012, led to a rapid expansion in the adoption of business and residential solar power generation due to its supportive pricing mechanism. Prior to this, a surplus purchase system for residential solar power generation had been introduced in 2009. However, as the majority of funding for FIT support relies on surcharges to citizens for renewable energy, the burden on electricity consumers has become significant (even after the transition from FIT to FIP, the burden remains substantial).

Alongside the rapid expansion of solar power generation, the system price (per kW) for residential solar power generation, or the cost of solar power generation, has significantly decreased. What was around 700,000 yen/kW in 2009 dropped to around 290,000 yen/kW by 2020, less than half. However, the lifespan of solar panels is said to be around 17 years on average, and it is anticipated that the disposal issue of solar panels, which have been rapidly introduced so far, will become a major problem in the 2030s.

In this context, according to Nikkei News (May 8, 2024), a project to generate hydrogen from discarded solar panels will begin in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, where the aluminum industry is well-developed. Takaoka City was designated as a "carbon-neutral advanced region" by the Ministry of the Environment last year. The plan is to extract aluminum from the discarded panels, perform a chemical reaction to extract hydrogen from aluminum, and then use the hydrogen for thermal power generation. Additionally, the aluminum that can be reused from the discarded panels is also being considered for use in construction materials, among other applications. Local governments and companies that actively work on specific ways to utilize discarded panels effectively and dispose of them properly should be supported.

May 8th (Wednesday): How to interact with AI

Since January 13, 2023, I have been continuing to write my blog every day, intending it as a memo (or rather a diary). In fact, I somewhat pride myself on the fact that the seeds of the daily blog content have been accumulating for quite some time.

In a sense, writing is similar to copying sutras; I believe there is a commonality. Through writing, one can discern between what is necessary and unnecessary by putting into words feelings and emotions that are not yet settled within oneself, as well as the logical development of unorganized matters. Furthermore, it often clarifies why ambiguous matters remain unresolved or reveals information and wisdom that is lacking. If, hypothetically, such a process were entirely delegated to artificial intelligence (AI), humans might relinquish the driving force behind self-reform and personal growth.

However, I am keenly aware of the importance of interacting with artificial intelligence (AI) on a daily basis. Regarding students' interaction with AI, I instruct them to "utilize AI, but do not be used by AI." This is because engaging with AI is always a competition with formidable AI, and one must be prepared for the difficulty it entails.

May 7th (Tuesday): The 2024 Issue

In Japan, as part of the workstyle reform, the enforcement of driving time regulations has led to disruptions in long-distance truck transportation due to a shortage of drivers since 2024, raising concerns about the worsening of road logistics.

While reading the GAKUSHIKAI KAIHO(Bachelor Association Report, 2024-III, No.966), I came across a contribution titled "Future Vision of Railways to be Advanced Nationwide: Shinkansen Logistics - Sustainable Railway Management to Revitalize Japan as a Whole," by Mr. Yoshitaka Ishii, the first president of JR Kyushu. I found it intriguing and read it with great interest.

Compared to truck transportation, Shinkansen logistics not only save time, but also contribute to energy efficiency (one-tenth of truck transportation per ton-kilometer), require fewer personnel, and reduce environmental impact. It suggests a reassessment of logistics systems utilizing the Shinkansen network, with the potential to solve the 2024 issue. It also emphasizes that strong leadership is necessary to realize the ideal form of national railways.

Indeed, I pondered over it. I once lived in Shiki City, Saitama Prefecture, and the nearby Kita-Asaka Station and Niiza Station were served by the JR Musashino Line. This line ran from Tsurumi Station in Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, through Fuchu-Honmachi Station in Fuchu City, Tokyo, and Niiza Freight Terminal Station in Saitama Prefecture, with Nishi-Funabashi Station in Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture, as its terminus. Although it opened in the 1970s, it played a crucial role in passenger and freight transport in the Tokyo metropolitan area. With both passenger and freight trains running on the same tracks, it has garnered passionate fans among railway enthusiasts.

Returning to Ishii's paper, while the concept of Shinkansen logistics may be important, perhaps it would be worth considering the utilization of conventional railway transport first. Introducing container-based, logistics-specific, and mixed passenger-freight transport using conventional railways could contribute to time savings, energy efficiency, and require fewer personnel, especially if overnight transport could be realized.

May 6th (Monday): Golden Week

Today marks the final day of Golden Week in Japan for May. This year, some may have enjoyed a long vacation of ten consecutive days, starting from April 27th (Saturday) through today by taking days off consecutively from April 30th to May 2nd.

However, it's not the same on the university calendar. Even on April 29th, "Greenery Day," classes were held as usual. While taking a break is fine, it requires wisdom and ingenuity to do it well. In the end, except for today, I spent all of this year's Golden Week in the university research lab.

Just as it's important to regulate one's lifestyle rhythm, it's equally crucial to regulate the rhythm of education and research. For that reason, although I can't pinpoint exactly what I did, I've been able to leisurely spend time adjusting and planning for the spring semester, feeling a sense of relief.

May 5th (Sunday): Kamo Horse Racing

Today, at the Kamigamo Shrine (Kamo Wakeikazuchi Shrine), in the early afternoon, the ritual of the Kamo Horse Racing Association was held. It is said that this ritual has been held at the Kamigamo Shrine since 1093 (in the 7th year of the Kanji era), making this year the 931st anniversary.

In the essay collection "Tsurezuregusa" (written in the mid-14th century) by Yoshida Kenko (also known as Kenko Hoshi), in section forty-one, it is described how crowded it was with spectators at the Kamo Horse Racing event, to the extent that one could not even see the horses racing from behind. It reads, "On May 5th, when I went to see the Kamo horse races, the commoners stood in front of the carts, blocking the view. Each person descended, trying to get closer to the edge of the ditch, but with so many people crowded together, there was no way to break through..." and so forth.

Nowadays, seating for spectators is available for a fee. Outdoor seating costs 500 yen, and tent seating costs 1,000 yen (as of 2023). The scene of a monk, as described in "Tsurezuregusa," who climbed a sandalwood tree amidst the crowded spectators of the Kamo Horse Racing event, sat on a branch and dozed off, seemingly about to fall from the tree, is something we are unlikely to see again.

May 4th (Saturday): Greenery Day

Today in Japan is "Greenery Day," a national holiday, and it coincides with Saturday this year, marking the beginning of the latter half of Golden Week since yesterday. In Kyoto City, the highest temperature reached 29°C, feeling like summer, yet the humidity stayed around 40%, creating a dry and clear May weather, transitioning from the cherry blossom season to the season of fresh greenery.

In the northern district of Kyoto City where Kyoto Sangyo University campus is located, May is especially known for the Aoi Matsuri (Kamo Festival) held on May 15th (Wednesday). Yesterday, on the 3rd, a ritual of yabusame (horseback archery) took place at the Shimogamo Shrine's Tadasu no Mori forest to pray for the safety of the Aoi Matsuri procession route, which stretches from Shimogamo Shrine (Kamo Mioya Shrine) to Kamigamo Shrine (Kamo Wakeikazuchi Shrine). It's reported that around 30,000 people attended.

Today, at Kamigamo Shrine, the "Saio Dai Gyokei no Gi" ritual, cleansing the Saio Dai and female attendants who will serve in the Aoi Matsuri on May 15th, will be held. From today until the 15th, they will spend their days earnestly praying for the safe conduct of the Aoi Matsuri. The Saio Dai represents the Saio, a tradition established in 1956 (Showa 31), and this year marks the 66th generation. Selected annually from prestigious Kyoto families, this year, Ms. Matsuura, the eldest daughter of the head priest of Mibu-dera Temple (Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City), has been chosen. We wish for the festival's success and eagerly await it. In many years, due to class schedules, it's not possible to directly witness the "route procession," but this year being on a Wednesday, it seems likely that I'll be able to go and watch by the time they arrive at Kamigamo Shrine.

May 3rd (Friday): Joint Statement of the Climate, Energy, and Environment Ministers Meeting and Coal-Fired Power Generation

Last month, at the joint statement of the Group of Seven (G7) climate, energy, and environment ministers meeting held in Italy, it was agreed to gradually phase out coal-fired power generation that does not implement emission reduction measures such as CCS, and to expand the capacity of storage facilities for renewable energy generation to 6.5 times the 2022 level by 2030.

The UK has announced its intention to phase out coal-fired power generation this year, Italy by 2025, France by 2027, and Canada by 2030. Japan and Germany have not announced plans to phase out coal-fired power generation by 2035. However, while Germany has announced its intention to phase out by 2038, Japan has not even disclosed specific target years for phasing out. Officials in Japan perceive that the joint statement of the G7 climate, energy, and environment ministers meeting does not imply an agreement for Japan to phase out coal-fired power generation by 2035. Currently, there are approximately 160 coal-fired power plants in Japan, and coal-fired power generation accounts for 30.8% of Japan's power source composition in the fiscal year 2022, making it one of the primary sources of electricity.

Personally, I believe that the coal issue is a matter concerning China rather than just the G7, and if we consider it on a global scale, it's clearly more cost-effective to address either stopping coal-fired power generation in China or investing in high-cost equipment to replace it with environmentally conscious coal-fired power generation. If the cost of coal-fired power generation in China rises, inevitably, the cost in Japan would also increase, ultimately leading to a gradual phase-out.

May 2nd (Thursday): Kendo Shouts

I commute by bicycle mainly from Shimogyo Ward in Kyoto City to Kyoto Sangyo University campus in Kamigamo, Kita Ward, primarily using Horikawa Street (including the eastern part, which is also called Higashi-Horikawa Street). Often in the evening, as I ride south on the left side of the road a little downhill from the Horikawa Kitayama intersection, I am startled by a loud "Gya!" It was unsettling the first time I heard it, wondering what kind of shout it was.

The source of this "Gya!" comes from the building of the Kyoto Prefectural North Police Station along Horikawa Street. At first, I even had strange thoughts, wondering if they were interrogating someone. However, it turns out that female police staff are practicing kendo in a room on the third floor of the building, and that spirited shout of "Ya!" is part of their kendo practice. Kendo practice seems to be one of the duties of the police as well. Quite something.

May 1st (Wednesday): Wearing a Mask While Riding a Bicycle

I've entered my fifth year of commuting to university (about 14 km from Shimogyo Ward in Kyoto City to Kamigamo, Kita Ward) by bicycle, which takes about 80 minutes round trip. This transition to cycling commute began in May 2020, shifting from using public transportation (subway and city buses) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even as society begins to move past the pandemic, once I get used to cycling to work, it's hard to go back, especially after experiencing the benefits (such as zero waiting time, overall health benefits, and the ability to navigate narrow Kyoto roads where cars are restricted).

I wear a mask while cycling. It might seem odd to wear a mask while cycling after the pandemic, not the typical disposable ones, but rather a breathable cloth mask. Some might give me strange looks, especially tourists, as we pass each other. However, there are several benefits to wearing a mask while cycling (especially on a mountain bike), such as preventing mud splashes from tires from getting into my mouth (especially in rainy weather), protection from sunburn, warmth in winter, prevention of inhaling nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, dust, and airborne particulate matter, and just covering my face for privacy.

April 30th (Tuesday): Household Waste

In Japan, from late April to early May, due to the relationship between holidays and weekends, the length of consecutive holidays varies every year, but there is a series of days off during Golden Week. It's common to see cases where people who are away from home for a while, such as on a trip, put out household waste (especially food waste) before the designated collection day, and they end up scattered on the roads due to mischief by crows and other animals, causing inconvenience to the neighborhood.

Regarding the collection of household waste, because the sorting rules differ depending on the municipality, it's necessary to pay attention to how to dispose of waste and the collection days for sorted waste according to the rules of the area where you live. During April, when many people move due to the new fiscal year, there are often troubles regarding how to dispose of household waste.

For example, in Kyoto City, the rules for disposing of household waste require sorting into burnable waste, cans, bottles, PET bottles, plastic "containers" and "packaging," and small metal items, and placing them at the designated collection point by 8 a.m. on the specified days of the week. They advocate not putting out household waste the day before. When requesting garbage collection by the garbage collection truck in Kyoto City, it's necessary to put it in designated household waste bags (for a fee). In the apartment where I live, we have a contract with a private garbage collection company, so we can sort and put out the garbage in the apartment's collection area 24 hours a day, regardless of the day of the week.

April 29th (Monday): Significant fluctuations in the yen-dollar exchange rate

Today is "Showa Day" in Japan, a national holiday. While many markets around the world are closed on weekends, FX trading is possible on holidays.

In today's Tokyo foreign exchange market, the yen-dollar exchange rate fluctuated significantly around 1 p.m. Around noon, the yen-dollar exchange rate briefly reached the 160 yen/dollar level, indicating yen depreciation and dollar appreciation. After 1 p.m., the exchange rate quickly swung to yen appreciation and dollar depreciation, fluctuating to the 154 yen/dollar level. Some in the market perceived this as possible intervention by Japan's financial authorities. With it being a holiday in Japan and trading volume low, exchange rates are prone to significant fluctuations.

This marks the first time in 34 years for the yen to weaken significantly against the dollar. Export-oriented companies like Toyota not only benefit from competitive pricing in dollar-denominated products but also generate substantial exchange gains when converting dollar revenues into yen. Conversely, mineral resources such as oil and natural gas traded in dollars are experiencing expanded yen-denominated payments due to the strong dollar. In light of this, one might consider introducing a form of exchange "tax."

April 28th (Sunday): Health Benefits of High Cacao Chocolate

On April 18th, NHK's program "The Torisetsu Show That Changes Tomorrow" featured the "Instruction Manual for Chocolate". Typically, chocolate with a cacao content of 70% or more is referred to as high cacao chocolate.

It's reported that high cacao chocolate contains a significant amount of cacao polyphenols, which have health benefits such as "antioxidant effects" that prevent arteriosclerosis, "autonomic nervous system regulation" that lowers blood pressure, and "brain activation" that reduces brain fatigue.

However, it's important to be cautious about overconsumption. Since the human body can only absorb a small amount of cacao polyphenols and excretes the rest, it's recommended to consume around 25 grams per day, divided into morning, noon, and night.

Additionally, high cacao chocolate is made by fermenting cacao beans, similar to fermented foods like miso, soy sauce, and natto. Analysis of the taste (sweetness, saltiness, sourness, bitterness, umami) of "Miso-stewed Udon" and "Chocolate-stewed Udon" shows they are almost identical.

April 27th (Saturday): Employment Rate for University Graduates

　It has been reported that the employment rate for Japanese university graduates in 2023 was exceptionally high at 97.3% ("University Rankings 2025" by Asahi Shimbun Publications). Escaping the effects of the pandemic, Japan is currently facing a labor shortage, making the job market for university graduates a seller's market.

　The employment rate at Kyoto Sangyo University is also high at 97.86% (same source), ranking 14th among Japanese universities with over 2,000 graduating students per year. However, since the labor supply and demand situation for Japanese university graduates favors the employees, it can be said that students practically have a 100% chance of employment if they choose not to be selective about their job offers.

　I've been at Kyoto Sangyo University for 15 years now, and I remember that when I first arrived, the labor supply and demand situation was not like the current seller's market; it was quite challenging. Literally, there were mismatches in labor supply and demand, and many students couldn't secure jobs in the industries or positions they desired. In contrast, nowadays, students often receive multiple job offers, prompting us to teach them the proper etiquette of declining job offers from companies. It makes me realize how much times have changed.

April 26th (Friday): Digital Signage

At the Faculty of Economics, Kyoto Sangyo University, 36 faculty members from various fields annually conduct recruitment and selection for seminars composed of small groups starting from the autumn semester of the sophomore year. This process takes place from mid-May to early June each year.

Faculty members create recruitment criteria for seminars and are also planning a joint seminar question-and-answer session on May 22nd for sophomore students. For about two weeks (from May 22nd to June 5th), visits to the offices of each faculty member by seminar applicants are also permitted. Additionally, each seminar creates digital signage to promote the image of the seminar to sophomore students. These digital signages are projected onto monitors installed on the first floor of the university's classroom building, introducing the activities of each seminar.

This time, we utilized Microsoft's Copilot (AI) to generate images (see below). We attempted AI image generation during the seminar recruitment a year ago, but it didn't work well at the time. However, even this time, the generation of text was full of errors, so ultimately, we had to create it ourselves.

April 25th (Thursday): Kyoto Takigi-Noh

Every day in Kyoto, there are festivals, rituals, and various cultural events taking place somewhere in the city. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these related events were completely canceled, but now most of them have resumed, and every day feels like a festival.

On June 1st (Saturday) and 2nd (Sunday), the 73rd Kyoto Takigi-Noh, "The Dream of Genji," organized by the City of Kyoto and the Kyoto Nohgaku, is scheduled to be held at the Heian Shrine in Kyoto for two days. Kyoto Takigi-Noh, following the example of Nara's Takigi-Onoh, has been held since 1950 (Showa 25). Unlike indoor performances, Kyoto Takigi-Noh allows you to watch Noh and Kyogen performances of the Kanze, Kongoh, and Okura schools outdoors on a Noh stage.

Preceding this, on May 4th (Saturday), at the Aeon Mall Kitaoji in Kyoto's Kita Ward, and on May 11th (Saturday) at the Kyoto City Hall Front Square, a "Kyoto Takigi-Noh Pre-performance" will be held. By the way, you can watch these performances for free without prior registration. There will be two performances, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.

April 24th (Wednesday): Discussion on the Increase in Power Consumption by AI Data Centers

According to predictions by Japan's Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, the power consumption in data centers is expected to increase approximately fivefold from 2021 to 2040. This is attributed to the significant power consumption in data centers used for generative AI and other purposes, as well as the generation of considerable heat from image processing semiconductors (GPUs). The institute suggests that during this period, the amount of electricity consumed in Japan will increase to a scale equivalent to the current power consumption within the jurisdiction of Kyushu Electric Power Company.

It's unclear whether this prediction of power consumption simply adds additional power consumption from data centers like generative AI onto the current consumption figures. In other words, there remains a suspicion that, despite the proliferation of generative AI and similar technologies, potential energy savings in other areas might not be accounted for.

Thus, the discussion on the increase in power consumption by AI data centers seems to be exaggerated, perhaps to convey the message that "reducing power consumption is difficult," which feels somewhat forced.

April 23rd (Tuesday): 165 Years Since the Massive Oil Excavation

It has been 165 years since Colonel Drake, a former conductor, and Uncle Billy, a blacksmith, succeeded in excavating a large amount of crude oil from underground reservoirs using a drive pipe, purely by chance, in Titusville, Pennsylvania, USA, in 1859. Or rather, only 165 years have passed. While humanity has been utilizing oil since ancient times, it's often forgotten that it's only in recent years, like today, that we've begun extracting and utilizing crude oil in large quantities from deep underground.

In the context of the long history of Earth and humanity, it's necessary to understand once again that the past 200 years or so have been an extraordinarily special period. I once had the opportunity to engage in a brief discussion about energy based on the work of the late Professor Kenichi Matsui, an honorary professor at Ryukoku University and a contributor to the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, and his book "Energy Problems!" (NTT Publishing, 2010).

During that discussion, Professor Matsui explained the crucial points of the energy issue in the relationship between humans and energy. He mentioned something along the lines of, "Humans are always producing clever individuals one after another, and if we're careless, we won't be able to keep up." This passage remains etched in my mind. Innovative new energy technologies may endure for 100 or 200 years, while some technologies become obsolete in the blink of an eye. Among them, what Professor Matsui was hopeful for was the advancement of nuclear fusion reactions spurred by new technologies.

April 22nd (Monday): Osaka-Kansai Expo

The Osaka-Kansai Expo is scheduled to be held in Yumeshima, located in the Bay Area of Osaka, for six months from April 13th to October 13th, 2025. Yumeshima, in a sense, has a significant history that is hard to overlook.

Originally, Yumeshima was developed as a landfill site by Osaka City in the 1970s to address the shortage of disposal sites for dredged soil, construction waste, and general garbage, and subsequently, it became a reclaimed land. In the 1980s, plans were announced for the utilization of this reclaimed land as "Technoport Osaka," but the plan was derailed due to the collapse of the Japanese economy's bubble. In the 1990s, efforts were made to promote the idea of ​​the Osaka Olympics in the summer of 2008 with Yumeshima as the athletes' village, but it was defeated by Beijing at the IOC General Assembly in 2001, and "Technoport Osaka" was officially withdrawn in 2008.

As a third time's the charm, in 2018, six years ago from now, Osaka was chosen as the venue for the 2025 International Expo, which became the Osaka-Kansai Expo, and Yumeshima became the venue for the expo. Between 2014 and 2016, when Osaka was chosen as the venue for the 2025 International Expo, Yumeshima, which had been designated as a "negative legacy," had been promoted by then-Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto and others as a candidate site for an integrated resort (IR) including a casino, as part of a comprehensive development plan integrating the Expo and IR.

One can't help but wonder if there's anyone who can save Yumeshima, which has been positioned as such a "negative legacy."

April 21st (Sunday): Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One

I decided to purchase the DVD/Blu-ray of the action film "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One," starring Tom Cruise, which was released in July 2023, and watch it again.

It is the seventh installment in the Mission: Impossible series, and despite the widespread use of computer graphics (CG), a significant portion of it is live action. It has such a powerful impact that one might think it wasn't necessary to go to such lengths.

As for the release date of the eighth installment in this sequel, "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part Two," Paramount announced a change last October, delaying it from June 2024 to May 2025. The movie's title will also be changed. This is due to a strike by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), but for lead actor Tom Cruise, there's nothing more valuable than time.

April 20th (Saturday): Azaleas and Satsuki

During this time, many flowers bloom proudly in Japan. If you have time, I highly recommend visiting the Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Garden, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Cherry trees such as Kawazu-zakura, Somei Yoshino, Shogetsu, Ukon, and Fugenzo are already lush with green leaves. The cherry trees of Kanzan, Gyoiko, and the Omuro-zakura at Ninnaji Temple are in full bloom at this time.

As the cherry blossoms reach full bloom, it's time for Hanamizuki to bloom refreshingly and lushly in Kyoto City.

Furthermore, Azaleas (Tsutsuji) and Satsuki bloom splendidly in bright colors such as red, pink, and white. Azaleas and Satsuki resemble each other closely and are difficult to distinguish. In terms of haiku seasonal words, Azaleas are associated with spring and Satsuki with summer, with Azaleas blooming slightly earlier than Satsuki. The flowers and leaves of azaleas are larger than those of Satsuki, with Azaleas producing new leaves before blooming, while Satsuki produces flowers first and then new leaves.

Finally, the violets that were sown in the university laboratory last autumn have finally bloomed beautifully.

April 19 (Friday): Mountains appear hazy due to yellow sand

Yellow sand, carried by westerly winds from the Chinese mainland, has been blowing into Kyoto and Shiga since yesterday. With the calming of the COVID-19 situation, I thought it was good that there were fewer opportunities to wear masks. However, now yellow sand is bringing various chemical substances that can cause pollution and allergy symptoms.

Mount Hiei and Mount Koyama, seen from near Misonobashi Bridge in Kyoto's Kita Ward, appear whitish and hazy due to the yellow sand, indicating visible pollution in the air. However, since we don't know what kind of pollutants they are, the only thing we can do is to wear masks and avoid inhaling air directly through our mouths and noses.

Westerly winds carry warm air from the equator to the colder north, and these winds are deflected to the east over Japan due to the Earth's rotation. Unless the Earth's rotation stops or reverses, Japan will continue to be downwind from the Chinese mainland.

So, is there a mechanism to prevent the influx of yellow sand? Essentially, the only solution is to stop desertification in the Chinese mainland. From an economic perspective, this could be achieved through methods based on liability law and property rights (such as damage compensation lawsuits and environmental justice), regulation-based methods (environmental standards, technological standards), or market-incentive methods (taxes, subsidies, emission trading). The choice between these options determines whether China will continue to cause damage to South Korea and Japan by neglecting the issue.

April 18 (Thursday): Earthquake in Bungo Channel Last Night

In Japan, many may have suffered from lack of sleep this morning. At 11:14 p.m. on April 17, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake occurred near the Bungo Channel, causing weak shaking of intensity 6 in Ehime and Kochi prefectures. This marks the first occurrence of such intensity in the region since 1996.

In Japan, when new tremors are observed in such areas, concerns arise regarding the anticipated "Nankai Trough earthquake." Although seismic experts currently suggest that this earthquake is not directly related to the Nankai Trough earthquake, which is expected to occur in the future, they caution vigilance, as the Nankai Trough earthquake could strike suddenly without warning.

April 17 (Wednesday): The United States, which accounts for about 20% of the world's LNG export market

Since the early 21st century, the United States has seen a significant increase in shale gas production due to the shale revolution, and LNG (liquefied natural gas) exports from the United States have been increasing since 2016. By 2023, the United States accounted for about 20% of the world's LNG export market share.

Around autumn 2022, the suspension of much of Russia's natural gas supply to Europe led to a surge in LNG prices in Europe and Asia. Spot prices for LNG in Asia fell to below $10 per million British thermal units (BTU), returning to levels seen before the halt in Russian gas supply. Prices had far exceeded the $60 per million BTU level around autumn 2022.

Amidst these developments, while Qatar's share in the LNG export market from the Middle East had been declining, in February of this year, Qatar announced the North Field Gas Project, signaling an expansion plan for Qatar's gas production capacity. The supply and demand dynamics of the LNG export market are increasingly leading to oversupply, and gas prices are expected to decline. However, determining whether the downward trend in prices is desirable is not straightforward, as natural gas, positioned as a key player in the transition period to carbon neutrality from coal and oil, is also a greenhouse gas due to its methane content. Furthermore, from the perspective of energy security, there will be countries emphasizing national energy strategies aimed at utilizing such valuable natural gas resources for their own energy supply.

At the root of these complex issues lies the fact that hydrocarbon resources buried underground are inherently unevenly distributed across the Earth. Just like renewable energy, the technology to efficiently utilize energy sources available in every country or region is sought after.

April 16th (Tuesday): Stand-up signboards on the university campus

Kyoto Sangyo University, located in Kyoto's Kita Ward, has one main campus housing 10 faculties, with approximately 15,000 students studying at the university. While there are several routes to the school buildings, many facilities are situated halfway up the mountain or higher. It has been 15 years since I joined this university, and there has never been a year without construction work on campus. Repairs and new buildings are constantly being constructed.

From the bus terminal, there are 100 steps, and here, there is only an escalator for going up. On the left-hand side of the mountain, about 100 meters uphill, sits the Koyama Observatory. Along the road below the Koyama Observatory, a steel frame has been installed to accommodate stand-up signboards. It's a fairly large frame designed to accommodate roughly 25 signboards, but on regular days, there are only about 5 handmade signboards by students displayed. As the time for the university festival "Koyama Festival" in November approaches, the number increases to around 10.

However, it's entirely different from the numerous stand-up signboards seen on campuses like Waseda University or Kyoto University. They are limited to event announcements and recruitment notices for clubs, etc. There's nothing to elevate messages or awareness of real-world issues from students. This stems from the founding principles of the university back in 1965, which emphasized dedicating oneself to scholarship and research over student activism. It raises the question of whether young people aspiring to build a healthy society are pursuing their activities elsewhere.

April 15th (Monday): Top Gun: Maverick

I purchased and am watching again the movie "Top Gun: Maverick," starring Tom Cruise,  in the United States in 2022 (and in Japan in 2023)which was released on DVD/Blu-ray.

It's been 36 years since the 1986 sky-action film "Top Gun," and "Top Gun: Maverick" serves as its long-awaited sequel. In "Top Gun: Maverick," there are several instances where the changes of the intervening years are subtly reflected. One of these is the unmanned and AI-driven weaponry. There's a segment where if fighter jets capable of flying at Mach 10 hypersonic speeds aren't demonstrated, the program's budget will be terminated, and funds will be diverted to unmanned drone projects. Captain Mitchell (Maverick) defies orders from his superiors to demonstrate, as a pilot, that the planned fighter jet is capable of flying at Mach 10 hypersonic speeds for the sake of the program personnel.

The Top Gun pilots, who constantly risk life and limb, face the question of whether they can continue to outmatch AI-driven unmanned combat aircraft. Watching this movie from this perspective offers a glimpse into a different set of challenges in naval sky-action.

April 14th (Sunday): Summer Day at the Kamogawa River

Today in Kyoto City, we were blessed with a cloudless blue sky, making it a perfect day. With a high temperature of 27°C, marking a summer-like day, it feels like we've suddenly transitioned from the chilly days of lingering spring clouds to full-on summer.

The cherry blossoms of the Somei Yoshino variety blooming along the banks of the Kamogawa River are accompanied by fresh green leaves, and their petals are swirling like a cherry blossom blizzard, dancing above people's heads. The yellow rapeseed flowers blooming along the riverbank are also in full bloom, creating a beautiful landscape with hues of white, pale pink, against the backdrop of the blue sky, truly resembling a pastel painting.

The Kyoto Botanical Garden, located along the Kamo River in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, had to temporarily close today due to the sighting of two deer within the garden premises earlier this morning.

Unmanned drone attacks and wars between countries like Israel and Iran persist, with no end in sight to nations engaging in conflicts. Despite continuous events, international media never hesitate to analyze and report events under the pretext of "seeking the truth," yet they rarely advocate for peace. It's a peculiar situation indeed.

April 13th (Saturday): Oversupply Expected in the World's Crude Oil Supply and Demand in 2025

The International Energy Agency (IEA) lowered its forecast for global oil demand in its April Oil Market Report, citing a decrease in petroleum demand due to recent high oil prices.

For some time now, the price of North Sea Brent crude has consistently remained around $5 per barrel higher than the price of WTI crude. This could be due to differences in oil supply and demand between the European and US markets. As of April 12th, WTI crude is priced at $85.45 per barrel, while Brent crude is at $90.15 per barrel.

IEA has indicated that due to the slowdown in the growth of oil demand in China and the decrease in oil demand caused by high oil prices, the world's crude oil supply and demand in 2025 are expected to be in oversupply. It is noted that the period of concern about supply shortages triggered by the rebound in demand after the COVID-19 pandemic has passed. At this point, promoting investment in increasing oil supply capacity is already overdue, and the return on investment is expected to decline in the future. It is calculated that the increase in crude oil supply in the United States, Brazil, and Canada alone could cover the increase in global oil demand in 2025.

Furthermore, the momentum towards decarbonization is rapidly accelerating. Market principles in the oil market indicate that oil prices are expected to steer towards a downward trend after 2025.

April 12 (Friday): Approximately 9 tons of CO2 emitted per capita

Today, the Ministry of the Environment of Japan announced that the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions emitted domestically in Japan in the fiscal year 2022 was estimated to be the lowest on record at 1.135 billion tons. With Japan's population at approximately 125 million as of October 2022, this still accounts for about 9 tons emitted per capita annually.

Japan has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, which means that within the next 26 years, it must offset and fix approximately 9 tons of emissions per capita annually from the atmosphere to net zero. While this is an average per capita calculation, when can we expect to obtain a convincing and feasible roadmap?

Looking at the entire planet, the problem is even more serious. Some countries not only fail to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 but also see an annual increase. As the increasing factor is associated with economic development, as long as development rights are asserted, it results in a larger increase in CO2 emissions than the reduction by advanced countries that are striving to reduce emissions. Globally, this leads to the same outcome as taking no measures to reduce CO2 emissions.

It's time for all members of Spaceship Earth to reconsider "Jevons's Paradox" and the "Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis."

April 11th (Thursday): 15th Spring

In this April, it marks the 15th year since I joined Kyoto Sangyo University. Fifteen years have passed since I moved from Yokohama to Kyoto, causing considerable inconvenience to my family. Currently, I am working in Kyoto on a solo assignment.

In hindsight, I can only regret not choosing a solo assignment from the beginning. Humans are nurtured by their environment, and the environment shapes individuals. Underestimating the environment can lead to tough consequences. This applies not only to the relationship between individuals and their social environment but also to the relationship between humanity as a whole and the environment.

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the average global land and sea temperature for the year 2023 increased by 1.45°C compared to pre-industrial levels, reaching the highest temperatures in history. It is clear that we are already approaching the goal of keeping the temperature rise within 1.5°C as set by the Paris Agreement. In 2024, even if natural disasters escalate, no one should evacuate. Especially, to those experts who have focused solely on ensuring energy stability and aiming for mass appeal, I want to say this.

April 10 (Wednesday): Keyaki Green Belt

In the central median strip around Teranouchi on Horikawa Street in Kyoto City, Icho trees are planted, and above Kitaoji Street on Horikawa Street, keyaki (zelkova) trees are planted. This central median strip turns into a green belt, suddenly becoming green from early spring to early summer, and in autumn, it looks like a vivid yellow carpet is laid out by the Icho leaves.

Last year, I described how the green of the keyaki trees gradually deepened day by day at the end of March, but this year, it's already past early April, and finally, the leaves of the Icho and keyaki trees have begun to bud. Japan's natural landscapes are said to be beautiful because such seasonal changes of nature occur in a regular sequence, weaving the passage of the year.

Protecting environments where the power of natural regeneration is maintained is our important role.

April 9th (Tuesday): Cloudy with Blossoms

One of the seasonal words in haiku is "hana-gumori," or "cloudy with blossoms." During the late March to mid-April period when cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the sky remains bright but clouds gather, temperatures fluctuate significantly, and slightly chilly days occur.

In Kyoto city, cold rain fell from yesterday afternoon until dawn, and this morning a strong north wind blew fiercely, making it chilly. The fully bloomed Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms were scattered by the wind, dyeing the ground near the cherry trees white. Indeed, today's weather in Kyoto city is described as "hana-gumori." Another term used to describe the weather during this same period is "yōka-ten," which literally means "flower-nurturing weather." It refers to weather conditions that help flowers such as cherry blossoms last longer, particularly cloudy weather.

April 8th (Monday): Energy Resources Theory

Today marks the beginning of classes, and we conducted the first session of "Energy Resources Theory A," targeting students in their third year or above. This year, the number of registered students is 315, and there seems to be a growing interest among students in decarbonization and achieving carbon neutrality.

Moreover, there is an impression that many students are taking the class quite seriously. However, it is unfortunate that there is a certain proportion of students who seem to experience aversion or tension when explaining factor decomposition using the equations of total differentials to discuss the potential of policy mixes for reducing carbon dioxide emissions with the use of the Kaya formula.

In any case, since the goal is for students to become the mainstay of society in 2050, 26 years from now, with the aim of achieving "carbon neutrality," it is important for them to seriously consider it, not as something distant, but as something relevant to their own lives.

April 7th (Sunday): Classes for the new academic year start tomorrow

Now, the classes for the new academic year are finally beginning. All classes are face-to-face. However, there is a legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the demand for simultaneous recording of face-to-face classes. This leaves an additional burden on the part of the instructors. It is a measure taken with the understanding that recordings made on Microsoft Teams or Zoom can allow students to review the classes repeatedly after they are over.

In the course of conversation, even in the form of digressions, inadvertent slips of the tongue are not forgiven. While it would be appreciated if students could review the material repeatedly (especially in areas where it is deemed necessary), from the perspective of incentives for class participation and the tension of listening in class (knowing you can only hear it once), there are also drawbacks to using class recordings.

At the Kyoto University of Industry Campus, along with the start of classes tomorrow, the Somei Yoshino cherry trees are in full bloom. The Somei Yoshino and Shogetsu cherry blossoms at the main gate of Nijo Castle are also in full bloom. It seems that the Kan-zan and Fugenzo varieties are finally starting to bud.

April 6th (Saturday): Red Yeast Rice Ingredients

Yesterday, I received medical treatment at my regular hospital, which I visit once every two months. Nine years ago, I underwent surgery to remove one adrenal gland at Kyoto University Hospital due to primary aldosteronism. Primary aldosteronism can cause symptoms such as hypertension due to the formation of tumors around the adrenal cortex. For the past nine years post-surgery, I have been consistently taking antihypertensive medication, and currently maintaining a blood pressure in the range of around 120/70.

During each visit, I undergo blood tests and measurements of various values such as cholesterol (HDL, LDL), gamma-glutamyl transferase (liver function), triglycerides (neutral fats), blood sugar, HbA1c, and so on. Although my LDL cholesterol occasionally slightly exceeds the standard value every six months, it inexplicably returns to within the standard range. To lower my LDL cholesterol, I have been continuously taking a half-standard dose of the generic drug Rosuvastatin 2.5mg as prescribed.

In Japan, issues have emerged where individuals who consumed Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.'s supplement "Red Yeast Rice CholesterHelp" suffered health problems, including fatal cases and hospitalizations. It was revealed that the red yeast rice ingredients manufactured by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical contained citrinin (a component produced by blue mold). Citrinin carries the potential risk of causing kidney damage.

The red yeast rice ingredients manufactured by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical are not only used in the supplement "Red Yeast Rice CholesterHelp" but also in the ingredients of other foods. According to Yomiuri Shimbun Online (April 6, 2024), it is estimated that there are approximately 33,000 distributors in Japan alone, indicating that this issue cannot be ignored. In response, many food-related companies and businesses are compelled to inform consumers through their websites that "Our company does not use red yeast rice ingredients manufactured by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, including secondary raw materials," to reassure consumers of their safety.

Back in 2014, the European Union (EU) also set standards for citrinin, a toxic substance produced by some strains of red yeast rice, found in supplements and issued warnings.

April 5th (Friday): Full Bloom of Somei Yoshino at the end of the first week of April

In Kyoto city, the full bloom period of Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms this year is about two weeks later compared to last year (cherry blossoms within the Kyoto Sangyo University campus). Last year, the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms at Nijo Castle met the blooming criteria (5-6 petals), and the blooming declaration was made on March 17th, but this year, the blooming declaration was made on March 29th, which was 12 days later than last year. However, last year, the blooming declaration was made 9 days earlier than the average year, so this year is closer to the average blooming period.

Therefore, various cherry blossoms along the Higashi Horikawa-dori, from Horikawa Oike to Horikawa Nakadachiuri in Kyoto city, have yet to bloom much this year. The Milky Way (Amanogawa), Ukon Sakura, Gyoi Kozakura, Fugenzo Sakura, Shougetsuzakura, and Kanzanzakura are expected to be in full bloom after mid-April. Interestingly, the Genpei Shidare Momo (weeping peach) remains unchanged from last year and is already in full bloom.

April 4th (Thursday): Regarding the disciplinary action on the accounting irregularities within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)

The LDP has announced today the disciplinary measures against members implicated in the accounting irregularities involving kickbacks from party tickets. Although disciplinary actions have been decided for 39 LDP members, the nature of these measures is quite unsatisfactory. Even if they receive a "recommendation to leave the party," and if they voluntarily submit a resignation, they can potentially rejoin the party after undergoing an examination by the party's disciplinary committee. For those who have been "suspended from party membership" or "suspended from party positions," the duration this time is either one year or six months.

In contrast, if a publicly listed private company engages in accounting irregularities, it could face delisting or bankruptcy, and immediate reinstatement would be extremely difficult. Compared to this scenario, the handling of this case seems perplexing, with no clarification of facts and disciplinary measures appearing ambiguous in terms of their purpose, leaving everyone dissatisfied and highlighting the lack of clarity in this matter.

April 3rd (Wednesday): Earthquake 

In Japan, earthquakes occur so frequently that it's difficult to find a day without one. This morning at 8:58 AM (Japan time), there was a magnitude 7.7 earthquake off the eastern coast of Taiwan. It was relatively shallow, with a depth of 23 kilometers.

As a result, immediate tsunami warnings were issued for areas including Okinawa Main Island, Yonaguni Island, Ishigaki Island, and the Miyako and Yaeyama regions. Fortunately, there was no significant tsunami damage this time, and all warnings were lifted by noon. That's a relief.

Taiwan has suffered damages, which is deeply saddening. Taiwan has consistently supported and aided Japan whenever natural disasters strike. It's a modest expression to say it's a regrettable reality, but it's a world of difference compared to China. Japan will undoubtedly extend comprehensive earthquake assistance to Taiwan.

April 2nd (Tuesday): Sprouting of First Flush Tea Leaves

In Kyoto Prefecture, there is the Tea Industry Research Division,Kyoto Prefectural Agriculture,Forestry and Fisheries Technology Center,Agriculture and Forestry Technology Department.

 There, research and development are conducted to enhance the quality of Uji tea through the development of varieties, aiming to stabilize the management of tea industry operators and meet consumer needs for this important specialty product of Kyoto Prefecture.

Today, the Tea Industry Research Division announced the "Sprouting Declaration," indicating that this year's first flush of Uji tea leaves has begun to sprout. It is expected that the full-fledged first flush tea leaves will be harvested in approximately one month.

April 1st (Monday): Ride-sharing Unveiled

Today in Japan, ride-sharing with private vehicles driven by non-taxi company drivers has been unveiled as the first phase in four areas where taxi shortages are prominent. These areas include: ① the 23 wards of Tokyo, Musashino City, Mitaka City; ② Yokohama City, Kawasaki City, Yokosuka City; ③ Nagoya City, Seto City, Nisshin City; ④ Kyoto City, Uji City, Nagaokakyo City.

However, it's important to note that in Japan, drivers are employed by taxi companies, which differs from ride-sharing systems abroad. Additionally, ride-sharing availability is restricted to specific days and times for each of the four areas. In other words, ride-sharing in Japan is introduced with the aim of utilizing private vehicles of non-taxi company drivers employed by taxi companies to supplement taxi shortages.

In principle, payment is made cashlessly, and the service is limited to the use of dispatch apps for determining pickup and drop-off points as well as fares. While the introduction of this service is planned for other regions in the future, it's expected to take some time for the service to become widely adopted and established.

March 31st (Sunday): Microcosm of Overtourism

Today marks the final day of the fiscal year 2023 (Reiwa 5), which coincidentally falls on a Sunday. The new fiscal year of 2024 (Reiwa 6) will commence from Monday onward.

Due to this, Kyoto experienced congestion on various roads today, attributed to both tourists and individuals relocating within Kyoto for the new fiscal year. Trucks unloading moving cargo were parked on narrow roads, causing traffic jams in certain areas. Such congestion exacerbated by tourist flows is what's commonly referred to as overtourism.

Kyoto now resembles cities like Paris and Rome, with much of its urban landscape transformed into theme parks, gradually losing its serene and peaceful environment as a place of residence. Moreover, the discourteous behavior of Chinese tourists exacerbates this situation. Even relatively wide sidewalks like Horikawa Street become congested and difficult to navigate. This is because they walk side by side without hesitation, reminiscent of the opening scenes of the Japanese TV drama "G-Men '75" aired on TBS in 1975. Furthermore, it's common to see groups of them gathering at the entrances of local supermarkets, standing still and eating, all of whom are tourists from China.

Since the Agency for Cultural Affairs relocated to Kyoto a year ago, it is hoped that Kyoto will consider tourism industry policies aimed at ensuring the quality of tourism rather than just meeting tourism demand.

March 30th (Saturday): Cherry blossoms blooming late this year 

The Kawazu cherry blossoms in the Ichijo Modoribashi area of ​​Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, bloomed about a week earlier than last year. It was around March 3rd. However, following that, low temperatures and rainy weather persisted, and strangely enough, the cherry blossoms at the university bloomed more than a week later than last year. At this rate, it is expected that by the time of the entrance ceremony on April 2nd this year, the cherry blossoms on the university campus will be far from full bloom as they were last year.

The cherry blossom trees along Higashi Horikawa Street near Nijo Castle in Kyoto City are also generally late, with only a few blooming, like the "Yoko Sakura" variety. Today's highest temperature in Kyoto City was 23°C. As for the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms in Tokyo, the "600°C rule" has been mentioned as a guide for the expected blooming period. This rule suggests that from February 1st, when the cumulative sum of daily maximum temperatures exceeds 600°C, it's time for cherry blossoms to bloom. While it's uncertain whether this "600°C rule" applies to Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms in Kyoto City, the highest temperatures in Kyoto City since mid-March this year have indeed been low.

March 29th (Friday): Kyoto Tower 

One of Kyoto's landmarks, Kyoto Tower, will be renamed "Nidec Kyoto Tower" from April 1st for the next five years. It was announced on March 19th that Nidec (formerly, Nippon Densan) has acquired the naming rights from Keihan Holdings, the owner of Kyoto Tower, for a period of five years.

Kyoto Tower opened in December 1964 (Showa 39), when the Tokyo Olympics were held. The same year saw the opening of the Tokaido Shinkansen. Initially, there was controversy surrounding the construction of a tall structure in the ancient city of Kyoto, similar to the debate surrounding the construction of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Architect Mamoru Yamada, the structural designer, reportedly faced significant challenges. Kyoto Tower features a monocoque structure made by welding together special steel plate cylinders without using any steel frames, and it has become one of the indispensable symbols of Kyoto.

As Kyoto Tower celebrates its 60th anniversary, new expenses such as repair costs have arisen, and it has been decided to cover these costs by selling the naming rights this time.

March 28 (Thursday): New Project X