It is said that the number of people who stop sending New Year's cards is increasing. We recommend that you do not cut off the connection.

According to Japan Post, the number of New Year's postcards issued next year will be 1.64 billion, which is about 10% less than this year, due to an increase in the number of cases where New Year's greetings are sent by e-mail. It is less than 60% compared to 2004 when there were many.



With less than a month left this year, we asked 50 people in their teens to 70s in Shinjuku, Tokyo about whether or not to write New Year's

cards


.


27 people


tended to write more New Year's cards as their age increased.



As for the reasons for writing, some said


, ``I'm connected only with New Year's cards with acquaintances who live far away,'' ``


I write it as a greeting to my colleagues and customers,'' and


``It's a courtesy to my family and relatives.'' was



On the other hand, the reasons for not writing are


▽ ``I don't need it because we are connected by LINE or e-mail,''


``I used to write until I was a child, but I got estranged, and the other person stopped coming


.


I heard people say

, "I stopped writing ."



However, even among those who write New Year's cards, there were many people who were gradually thinking about "end of New Year's cards," such as reducing the number of cards.

Expert "I want to keep connecting with you, it's important to tell"

What should I do when I want to "end the New Year's card" while I feel reluctant to suddenly stop the New Year's card that I have continued for many years?



According to Shino Sawaoka, a senior researcher at the Daiya Research Foundation for Aging Society, who is familiar with "New Year's cards," the reason for quitting in a form that the other party will be satisfied with in advance, such as "I will retire" or "I am already old." It's important to communicate politely.



He also pointed out, "It's important to handwrite something like 'Thank you for your continued support' and add your email address, LINE ID, and phone number to let them know that you want to continue to connect with them." doing.



On the other hand, according to senior researcher Sawaoka, when interviewing people who sent New Year's cards, they said that they "lost connections" and "began to feel lonely that New Year's cards did not arrive at the beginning of the year." He also said, ``It is important to have many ways to connect with the other party, and in cases where New Year's cards are the only means of contact, there is no opportunity to know that a friend or acquaintance has died. Some people said, Even after stopping New Year's cards, it may be okay to have a flexible idea of ​​​​resuming when you want to start.