This summer, look up at 7:00 on July 15th.
In addition, the number of people infected with the new corona is increasing rapidly.
The highest number ever in ○○ prefecture.
The highest number ever in ○○ prefecture ...
The spread of the 7th wave of infection is reported.
Furthermore, the yen also fell to the 139 yen level per dollar, the first level in 24 years.
Shocking numbers are lined up.
Still, look up this summer.
I listened to the voices of the people who call this summer.
(Morioka Broadcasting Station Miki Umezawa, Network Press Department Hokuto Takasugi Momoyo Imai)
There is no place for fireworks balls ...
Akita Prefecture's fireworks company "Hibikiya Omagari Fireworks", which was founded 128 years ago.
We have undertaken the production of fireworks to be launched at fireworks festivals all over the country.
However, due to the influence of Corona, the fireworks display was canceled across the board, and the company was almost closed for almost two years until April this year.
During this time, some fireworks masters were quitting.
Hibikiya Omagari Smoke Fire Kentaro Saito Representative
Sales have fallen from 10% to 20%.
Since the fireworks display is held every year, we can see the approximate amount for the following year, but it has become difficult to look ahead in Corona.
It takes a couple of months to make a fireworks ball for one tournament.
Since it would not be in time to make it after the tournament started, we have been doing "make-to-stock".
However, due to the cancellation of the fireworks display, a large number of fireworks balls remained in the company's warehouse.
Due to the limited amount that can be stored, it is no longer possible to mass-produce new products.
Hibikiya Omagari Fireworks Kentaro Saito Representative
I became a fireworks master because I wanted to be pleased to see the fireworks, but there was no place to show them.
Also, you can't even make it.
The beautiful and delicate Japanese fireworks technique is said to be the best in the world, and it is most important to gain experience in making it in order to acquire it.
Study fireworks while resting
Even if I want to make fireworks, I can't.
In order to maintain the motivation of such fireworks masters, we have been focusing on fireworks research.
I want to not only rest and endure silently, but also connect to the next fireworks.
We have gathered together to develop new colors and shapes for fireworks.
With a special feeling, the "Omagari Fireworks" will be held for the first time in three years this year.
Fireworks from all over the country compete for the beauty and originality of fireworks, and it is one of the leading fireworks festivals in Japan where more than 700,000 people gather every year.
The number of seats in the bleachers has been limited to 60% due to corona support, but we are aiming to hold the event while raising the ticket price accordingly.
Hibikiya Omagari Fireworks Representative Kentaro Saito
I think that fireworks artists from all over the country will continue to research and create new things in the last two years.
As a local fireworks shop, we also want to deliver good things.
I wish I could think, "There was a firework that was made because of this time."
Yen depreciation and Corona again ...
On the other hand, what is troublesome is the soaring cost of raw materials for fireworks.
The gunpowder used to make fireworks depends on imports from overseas.
Prices have continued to rise for several years, and recently the price has risen further due to the depreciation of the yen.
It is said that it is more than 10% higher than last year.
Raw materials have soared after the contract for this season has already ended, so we can't add to the price of fireworks.
In addition to that, the spread of the 7th wave of the new corona.
Some of the fireworks festivals I was planning to attend have been informed that they may be canceled.
Looking up this summer
Still, Mr. Saito and his friends are looking forward to this year's fireworks display.
We are making preparations while thinking about the customers who are looking forward to it.
Hibikiya Omagari Smoke Fire Kentaro Saito Representative
We are in a position to ask for fireworks, so I can't say anything.
But after all, by showing off the fireworks and seeing everyone's delight, I think it's good to make fireworks again.
No matter how dark you feel, when you see fireworks, people look up.
There are a lot of people who have a hard time in Corona, but this summer I want them to look up and be positive.
The long-awaited college life ...
The same thing that I have been waiting for this summer is the same for first-year college students who entered this spring.
In high school, club activities were canceled, school trips were canceled ...
The college entrance exam was conducted in the midst of the spread of the Omicron strain.
The spread of corona infection before summer vacation.
It is said that the influence of the 7th wave has already come out.
The conversation between these two people in a foreign language class has been canceled from the 14th.
The training camp for the circle scheduled for summer vacation has also been cancelled.
It is said that the university did not approve it because of the spread of the infection.
In addition, part-time jobs are also affected.
The manager of a Japanese restaurant at a part-time job says, "If the infection spreads, we may have to reduce the number of part-time workers from four to three."
I'm worried because it's possible that my
first year of college earning will be halved.
Following the high school school trip, the club camp at the university was also canceled, and I can't enjoy my university life satisfactorily.
In addition, some students are feeling the effects of the weak yen.
These two people are aiming to study abroad next fall.
The TOEFL test fee, which is a requirement for studying abroad, is $ 245.
Payment is in dollars.
When it was about 115 yen per dollar at the beginning of this year, it was about 28,000 yen.
That is due to the depreciation of the yen, and on July 14th, 1 dollar = 139 yen, which is more than 34,000 yen.
Although the examination fee has not increased, the amount to be paid has increased by nearly 6000 yen.
First grade college students
I plan to take TOEFL at least twice this summer, so the impact of increased spending is significant.
Part of the cost of studying abroad in the
first year of university will be covered by a part-time job, so I hope that the depreciation of the yen will subside next year when studying abroad.
Some say "I want to decline study abroad"
How much impact does it actually have on studying abroad?
At Waseda University, about 700 people are planning to study abroad this fall.
Study abroad in the United States and the United Kingdom resumed in earnest from last year.
The number of students studying abroad has returned to about 70% of the 2019 academic year before Corona.
However, it is said that some students at the study abroad center of the university offer to decline study abroad due to financial reasons, such as "there is a shortage of funds due to the depreciation of the yen."
In the case of exchange study abroad, there is no tuition fee for affiliated universities, but he is worried that the cost of staying and living in the area will increase.
Mr. Shunsuke Mizuno, Study Abroad Center, Waseda University
Since the students to study abroad are decided through selection, some students may weep in the process, so basically we do not allow them to decline.
However, given the record depreciation of the yen, we cannot help admitting it.
The scholarship system does not respond to the sudden rise in prices and the depreciation of the yen, so we cannot help.
What happens to the corona and the depreciation of the yen in the summer
Summer of corona and depreciation of the yen.
As of the 14th, the government has indicated that it will not impose strong restrictions on behavior.
However, Chairman Shigeru Omi of the government subcommittee said at a press conference on the night of the 14th, "If measures cannot be taken thoroughly, we will have to consider restricting our actions again."
On the other hand, the National Governors' Association held on July 12 called for a general response policy that contributes to both infection control and socio-economic activities according to the characteristics of the new mutant strain.
Governor Kuroiwa of Kanagawa Prefecture
Omicron strains have a low severity rate, so there is no need to keep track of all infected people or require close contacts to wait at home for 7 days.
Governor Yamamoto of Gunma Prefecture
The medical care provision system in the prefecture is calm, and unlike in the past, the number of infected people is increasing, but there are few people who become seriously ill.
Given that the number of people has finally returned and the town is getting better, I would like to avoid measures that restrict economic activities again.
Do you have a voice?
The third summer in Korona-ka.
The depreciation of the yen is also catching up.
The spread of the corona infection should not result in the loss of life.
However, due to the behavioral restrictions of Korona-ka, there are people who are deprived of work opportunities or cannot have valuable experiences as a student.
Have you heard the voices of those who have survived the two summers?