Yesterday, I underwent an adult health check-up at a nearby clinic from the morning.
I've experienced it many times before, but undergoing tests on an empty stomach can be quite challenging.
In particular, the "gastroscopy" examination is quite something.
However, since the doctor at this clinic, just a two-minute walk from my home, is someone I'm close to, it's comforting to have the
examination done, and the tension eases.
I think his technique for inserting the endoscope is quite impressive. (Before you know it, has the endoscope already been inserted?
I felt no discomfort whatsoever, and the examination was over.)
This year will be the last time for me to have tests at this clinic, and I strangely felt sentimental.
(I'll have them recommend a doctor at my new place!)
Today, first thing in the morning, I'll be heading to the travel agency. It's the final meeting day for the trip to Kauai Island and Hawaii Island.
Originally, the plan was to travel to Maui Island, but due to a natural disaster, a wildfire, and the busy recovery efforts on the island,
we decided to change our travel plans.
We will find out what the situation is like with the weak yen when we actually go. Although it's not on the U.S. mainland,
it's still America, so we'll have to face the reality of a weaker yen.
The first time we went to the U.S. was in the 1980s. It was for my graduate studies in the U.S.
Even then, we benefited quite a bit from the strong yen. It was a time when Japan was riding high with the strong yen.
During that era, when Japan was being touted as "Japan as Number One," even the Japanese prime minister used to boast about it.
So, there were plenty of snide remarks and sarcasm from insensitive Americans or disgruntled Americans
who thought poorly of the Japanese.
Sensible Americans, intellectuals, and American friends told me, "Certainly, Japan is number one now.
But the prime minister shouldn't have said it out loud." Those words in English still linger in my heart.
That's what a strong yen does.
Lately, Japan has been attracting many tourists, and they must be feeling quite busy and excited. "Japanese products are so cheap.
Should I buy this too?" They must be having a great time.
A weak yen, on the other hand, is something else.
Asset allocation is perhaps something like that. "Yen. Dollar. Gold coins." There's that kind of division too (laughs).
I don't have much interest in such matters. I've come this far without much interest, so I think that's a fortunate thing...