I hope this message finds you all in good health.
As July drew to a close, the sound of cicadas began to fill the air in our local parks.
In the past, the cries of aburazemi (large brown cicadas) were the dominant sound, but recently it’s the minmin-zemi that are more prevalent—evoking vivid memories of summer for many of us.
In 1963 (Showa 38), there were only 153 centenarians in Japan. This year, the number has reached an astonishing 92,139.
Even more surprising is that 89% of them are women.
I remember when the centenarian twins, Kin-san and Gin-san, were celebrated by their local ward office, and many of us joyfully watched their story on television.
But now, with over 92,000 centenarians, the scale is simply incredible. The oldest among them is reportedly 116 years old.
Why have so many people—92,139 in total—lived past the age of 100 and remained active?
Perhaps it is because many of them returned to work after retirement.
When people stop working, they can grow idle. I believe that continuing to look forward and striving for progress gives people the drive to live purposefully.
In addition, the recent rise in living costs may have pushed many to keep working and earn income—an inevitable sign of the times.
By prefecture, Shimane ranks first with 155.1 centenarians per 100,000 people.
Kochi and Tottori tie for second with 146.01, followed by Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Nagano, and Ehime.
Tokyo, by contrast, is ranked 42nd.
Regions like Shimane, Tottori, Kagoshima, and Kumamoto are peaceful, nature-rich places—ideal environments for long, healthy lives.
After the war, Nippon Steel of Japan and Baoshan Steel of China merged and enjoyed a period of smooth growth.
But over time, their production capacity declined, and the merger was eventually dissolved.
I recall watching the NHK drama The Sons of the Earth and feeling nostalgic.
Since then, China has undergone tremendous changes, and I wonder how it will continue to develop—and what kind of life awaits the people of Japan in response.
The breakup of the Japan-China steel alliance left a bitter aftertaste.
It reflects the fact that China’s technological capabilities have advanced to the point that it no longer needs to rely on Japan.
Japan is now investing heavily in India with hopes of forming new alliances, and is also planning to acquire struggling steelworks in the U.S.—though it appears the American government has yet to fully approve the deal.
As a Japanese sword dealer, I travel regularly to Tokyo (where I operate in two locations), Kyoto, and elsewhere in search of swords.
However, recently, good quality swords have become increasingly rare.
One reason, I believe, is the growing number being sold abroad.
There’s a common misconception among Japanese people that there are few Japanese sword enthusiasts in the West.
This is entirely false.
Western collectors observe Japanese swords closely, understand them deeply, and treat them with great respect.
I was watching the Olympics today and saw a judo match.
The awkwardness seen in past years is gone, and foreign athletes now compete with impressive confidence and spirit.
At the same time, more people around the world now practice the proper etiquette when handling Japanese swords:
They bow before drawing the blade, inspect it carefully, apply oil using cotton, gently wipe it down, and return it to the saya—all ending with a respectful bow to the sword.
This philosophy of "beginning and ending with courtesy" has been adopted by people from many countries, and their movements have become quite precise.
One issue for foreign collectors is what to do when a sword becomes rusted—how to remove the rust and restore the blade.
Since polishing techniques abroad are still limited, the time will come when these swords must be sent to Japan for proper polishing.
Polishing a sword is no easy task; for many collectors, it remains a major challenge.
As I’ve written before, more people around the world are traveling than ever before.
Some enjoy brief trips, while others settle abroad or even marry locals.
Japanese people are no longer as weak in English as they once were, and though they may still be shy in conversation, tools like translation devices have made communication much easier.
As a result, many now live together with people from other countries.
Japan’s population is steadily declining, but the healthcare system is strong, and the nation remains peaceful—a comfortable place to live.
Going forward, more foreigners may choose to live here, feeling safe and secure.
Times change rapidly.
I believe the war between Russia and Ukraine will eventually end.
When the world unites in support of Ukraine and recognizes that such a senseless war only causes unnecessary suffering, people will look back and realize it was a conflict that never should have happened.
I also worry about Prime Minister Netanyahu’s aggressive actions in Gaza, and fear the fighting will continue.
The roots of the conflict lie in the deep scars of the Holocaust and the establishment of Israel on contested land—but the current reality of land seizure and aggression is difficult to accept.
Israel is wealthy and has a strong presence in the United States, but its methods in Gaza seem increasingly violent and forceful.
It’s a complex issue, but I sincerely hope it is resolved soon.
Growing older brings many difficulties. Legs weaken, and even taking a walk can become hard.
Let us cherish our grandparents.
Let your wife enjoy life to the fullest while she can.
Raise your children with discipline and simplicity. Teach them clearly what is right and wrong.
Scold them when necessary, but also praise them for good deeds and encourage them with motivation.
May you all remain in good health and high spirits.
With warm regards,
Tsuruta Kazushige
