In addition to the impact of the new coronavirus, as fuel prices continue to rise, half of the public baths in Niigata Prefecture that are members of a union made up of sento owners are complaining of severe business conditions, saying that they may close down. This was revealed in a questionnaire survey conducted jointly by NHK and the labor union.
In December last year, NHK conducted a questionnaire survey in collaboration with the "Niigata Prefecture Public Bath Industry Life Sanitation Industry Association" to ask about the management status of 17 public baths that are members of the union. got the answer.
As a result, 11 public baths, which accounted for about 70% of the total, responded
that
▽
``Soaring fuel prices are having an impact on management.'
'
There was also a voice saying, "Annual revenue decrease of about 2 million yen is expected."
In addition, 8 public baths, which account for half of the total,
responded that they "may close down", and the
reasons for this were ▽
In addition to the prolonged corona crisis and soaring fuel prices,
▽ Renewal of aging buildings and equipment There are many voices pointing
out the need for a large amount of funds
and the
lack of successors.
Takashi Kumagai, the chairman of the association, said, "It's a disappointing result, but I want young people to somehow enter this world and protect sento, which is a part of Japanese culture."