Update and a question.
Nothing new really, just an update. A couple
of Sundays ago we went on another Ekikara hike. This one through Tokyo. As has become normal, saw many empty stores and ‘tenant sought’ signs. We did not go into the special events along the way if the were indoors, I didn’t want to don a mask nor argue about it with my wife and children. Many places had signs up stating masks are required. Here is one, rather strongly worded one.
Note, this is was taken in January 2023.
Last weekend we had a Zoom lecture with the juuku, cram school, my eldest has just started attending. The teacher was in the classroom alone, as evidenced by him needing to cross the room to change the settings, yet wore a mask. My first time in the receiving end of someone speaking in my non native language through a mask, into a microphone and out the speakers of my device. As I suspected, most came across as unintelligible, garbled mumbling. But, hey, at least we won’t catch Covid over Zoom. Was just reminded that not only must my kid wear a mask while in class, it must be a paper mask. They say they work better. I wonder what they are using to make this determination.
I am now standing in line at the city tax office hoping to get my taxes finished today. (Was not able to.) Anti covid measures were still in place at the tax office. The employees are all wearing masks AND face shields AND talking behind a plastic sheet. However, they are not wearing the disposable rain suits and gloves as they did last year. Progress, I guess. I ma without a mask and so far no one has said anything, that IS progress. I am the only unmasked person in the place.
The Japan Times reports that airlines will allow passengers to decide on wearing them or not. That is good news.
On another stack, the author cites another who claims to live in Japan and that the PCR is not readily available in Japan. While this was the case in 2020, my experience and understanding differs greatly. My city of around 500,000 currently has 30 locations where residents can get the PCR administered listed on its webpage. I see numerous PCR “Testing” sites all around Tokyo. Those of you who are currently living in Japan, how available is the PCR in your area?
Sorry, I forgot the translation. 必ず can be translated as “surely”, “certainly” or “without fail”. Given the red dots, I translate the sign as follows.
“Within the store, without fail wear a mask, please !!”
Most shops have signs like that. I just ignore them and go in naked anyway. We have this huge store near here called Nishimuta - sells absolutely everything. They even have a message on the PA that comes on every 5 minutes reminding shoppers to wear a mask. As I've said before, not had one person say anything to me in 3 years.
As for PCR tests I only know one place next to the city hall but I'm sure there are more. I live in a city of 120,000 in Miyazaki. More like a big town. The "city" limits are constantly expanding and include a number of smaller towns around the area. It's more like a big town spread out 20km in all directions. Super rural. I like it a lot.
I'm almost finished converting an old room into a store room. Had to put in a floor and build a set of shelving. My closets are all full of food and gear and need a better system. Also somewhere to store 50 sacks of rice. 😊 Getting ready for the apocalypse that is surely coming within 18 months.