In July, I had several chances to go to Tokyo from Yokohama during the morning rush hours. It seemed to be 10% less crowded than I used to commute. I wondered why? It may be because everybody comes to office 1~2 hour earlier in cooperation with saving electricity after Great East Japan Earthquake 2 years ago. Ohi Nuclear Power station No.3 is only operating out of 54 Nuclear Power Stations at present. I don’t hear any electric power shortage now. What was the fear of a blackout in Tokyo due to electric shortage after the Earthquake?
The maximum mean temperature in Tokyo in July was 31degree C. There were 9 days over 35 degree C. Aug maximum mean temperature (up to Aug 10) is 33 degree C. Therefore, there were many people to be moved to an emergency hospital. So it must be in the hell for people to commute in the train like sardines every morning.
How about should we seriously consider to introduce the summer time system in Japan? It is quite bright at 5 am in the morning. It is too bright to sleep.
It is not natural for us to be still in the bed as the sun rises high. It is necessary for us to return to the life in nature. We should make the most of such brightness. Getting up one hour early is good to health. It will contribute to energy saving. Some companies pay an extra charge to the overtime allowance if you start working earlier in the morning. Early morning meeting could be quite effective. The companies and individuals are ready to accept the summer time system. People in matured society should enjoy leisure time to great extent. Government has been setting up the surroundings where women could participate in working in order to solve a labor shortage. In addition to that, they encourage a young couple to take childcare leave. The summer time system really fit to the young people. It will activate an economy again. It will push up GDP to some extent. Larger economical effects could be expected.
On the other hand the social system of getting people to set the clock one hour ahead or back twice a year simultaneously, regardless of personal like and dislike and throughout an entire nation will give people change and energy. Because time is absolute. Therefore, the summer time system would get people to reform in the way of thinking. Is there an opportunity other than the summer time system to make people feeling as one? The voting rate of the House of Councilors this time was 51.02% which was lower than the previous one of 57.92% of 2010. The introduction of the summer time system would enhance people feel taking part in the national politics. The thought of taking action by themselves will get them attain higher voting ratio. The Liberal Democratic Party won the election by a landslide victory and should bear the responsibility of the growth strategy as the 3rd arrow under the stable government for the coming 3 years.
The consolidated ordinary profit of the listed companies in 2nd quarter of 2013 (April to June) were recorded to rise 42% from the year before. Export companies received a benefit of the weak yen, not only the car industry but the shipbuilding industry which shows 35 ships adding 22 ships in the export ship contract results of July for the same month last year. In gross tonnage it comes 2.4 times of the year before to 1.15 million gross tons. It is 5 months consecutive pluses. From the point of view of China and Korea sharing 75% of the quantity of ship building at present in the world Japan should compete in the own technology. Otherwise, she could not compete in the price. Thus, we would like to expect Japan’s unique technology.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts Japan’s economic growth this year would be the top among the advanced countries. The Development Bank of Japan published the investigation of 2013 capital investment plan on Aug 5 that the domestic capital investment on overall industry would increase 10.3% to15.9454 trillion yen comparing with 2012 result. The manufacturing industry expects 10% up to 5.819 trillion yen and the non-manufacturing industry including retail and real estate for 10.1% up to 10.1264 trillion yen. On the other hand overseas plant investment increases 25.9% to 5.092 trillion yen. The double digits gain is for 4 consecutive years. To change this stream could be difficult. However, it should contribute to the recovery of the world economy to great extent.
Japanese 3 Major Lines announced on the end of July that their Business Prospect of the business year ending March 31, 2014. Their Liner Business has been revised down but on the contrary their overall business has been revised up due to depreciation of Yen, fuel costs reduction effect by Slow Speed Sailing and by contribution of favorable cargo movement on PCC.
The new container price seems to be $2,050~2,100 per 20f. The factory stock of new containers seems to be around 0.9 million teu. Major leasing companies’ utilization ratio would be kept over 90%. Their depot stock has been gradually increasing by return of Sales & Lease Back Container and so on from shipping lines. They have been starting to recover about 60,000teu from STX Pan Ocean which went bankrupt in June. It is very regrettable to hear that Florence will close Japan office by the end of Sept.
We, EF International Ltd has acted as the sales agent of Thermo King on July 1. Thermo King has introduced Magnum in 2002 and Magnum Plus in 2009 in the market. They have been used successfully more than 10 years. Many shipping lines have already been using them across the globe. The merit of Thermo King Unit is to use the refrigerant of R404a which is far superior to ultra-low temperatures. Magnum sustainable for minus 35 degree C and Magnum Plus for minus 40 degree C. SuperFreezer to store minus 60 degree C for long periods of time. While other existing unit makers could maintain minus 20 degree C. It is the first time among Japanese shipping lines that Kyowa Shipping has leased 15 Magnum Plus in July from TAL under L/T. I am confident that the powerful freezing capacity of Magnum and Magnum Plus in the rage from minus 35 degree C to minus 40 degree C would ensure the users to collect wider range of Reefer cargo. The versatility of Magnum and Magnum Plus will contribute to shipping lines to the great extent to make a good profit in the future.
EFI will set up the backup system under any circumstances for the customers who use Magnum, Magnum Plus and SuperFreezer in the future.