Thought of the Day - October 27 - News from Japan

I recently received an email from a friend in Japan. Here is a paraphrased excerpt:

Fortunately in Japan the wave of the COVID-19's expansion seems to be under control. Since the middle of March, we have the same lock-down as the Tokyo area. I have been staying alone in Fuji-city, not going to my home in Chiba where my family are. No lunch with friends, No Karaoke with company workers, No golfing. The only recreation was driving my car on the circuit. Since March I have never used the Shinkansen or other public transport around Tokyo.

Just recently, it looks better. COVID-19's expansion in Japan has been suppressed and people have begun to be more active; to come and go. The Japanese government isn't nervous concerning people's travel and activities outside the home. This has increased the amount of travel which helps revitalize the economy.

For me, there are a number of teams in our plant producing aluminum wire rods. If there is one worker infected, we need to stop the plant. The impact to our company would be enormous so we have been very nervous to have contact with people from the outside. Fortunately there have not been any infections with employees or their families.

Anyway, I will continue to be careful not to get infected with the virus and then I hope to be there to talk with you in the future.

Their significant restrictions and dedicated compliance from people like my friend have been working. Japan, despite more than three times the population, and an average age of 48 not 40, has seen less than 1,750 deaths; this is a rate that is nineteen times lower than Canada's. Remarkable.

Cheers

Cliff