In the middle of February, I flew to Okinawa. It was first Okinawa. I really wanted to go but it was not able to readily come true. I got up at 4 am and the morning cold was not odd because a cold wave came. Departure from YCAT at 6:04, arrival to Haneda at 6:35. I rubbed eyes and got in the flight of ANA 463 from Haneda to Naha at 7:40. Most of the seats were full and there were many young people. A little less than three hours to Naha had passed in no time. The sea of Okinawa to see from the window of the airplane was beautiful blue. Many young people welcomed me at the airport but I realized it was my misunderstanding before long. The professional baseball teams who set up camping in Okinawa arrived in the same time. Outside temperature 24 degrees Celsius. It was difference of temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. During the movement from an airport to the place to rent a car we were hit by a terrible squall. It was a heavy storm. Was a typhoon approaching? However, I saw a blue sky when I arrived there in around ten minutes.
Okinawa soba was included in most set meals on the menu of the popular restaurant when we went for lunch. I was surprised to see many slices of sashimi were served together with my main set meal of the fish fry when I ordered it. I could enjoy lunch for two by this. And it was surprisingly cheap. An old woman like Namie Amuro, famous singer, in old days waited on table. I realized I was in Okinawa. With that alone I became glad. In the meantime, approximately 6 members of Chinese family came in and used to watch the ticket vendor of the menu and chose a dish by speaking Chinese loudly each other. I was surprised to see the hotel parking lots of the capacity of 50~60 cars were filled with rent-a-cars.
All people we met gave us a hearty welcome. Therefore, I talked energetically. But I was ashamed of being hasty by myself in character because everybody was homely and had a deliberate manner as temperament of the Okinawan. I stayed one night only on account of the work. However, it is Okinawa that attracts attention most now in Japan.
I was able to realize vitality, the possibility that southern country Okinawa developed more from now on. By the way, the highest temperature in Sapporo was – 1.8℃ and the lowest temperature wasー7.3℃. It is difference of temperature 26~31 ℃. I came back to evening of the day, Yokohama and shuddered with temperature 8 degrees Celsius. This is Japan.
A time limit of the economic warfare between China and U.S. has been postponed from March 1 and the worst situation seems to be avoided for the time being. The export from January to February in China decreases by 4.6% to 353,200 million dollars from the year before and the import decreases by 3.1% to 309,500 million dollars from the year before. The trade balance to U.S. became dull like export decreases by 14% and import decreases by 35%. Even if President Trump would say anything he is a businessman. He will settle this with China as it should come to the best.
The American trade statistics of 2018 shows that export increases 7.6% and import increases 8.6%. However, the income and expenditure is 10.4% up and a deficit of 878,700 million dollars respectively compared with the previous fiscal year. It is record-high in the past 12 years. China occupies about half of 419,200 million dollars. But the number of housing units starts approximately 1,230,000 houses in Jan, 2019, which is increase for the first time in 5 months. The number of the employee of the non-agriculture section of February is 20,000 increase compared with the month before. The mean hourly wage is 3.4% increase from a year earlier. The unemployment rate is 3.8%.
The economy in U.S has been extending from July 2009. The 10th year begins this year and they may have force to attain record-long in the economic growth after the war.
Business Report of No. 1 Triton and No. 3 Textainer in the world have been announced.
| Leasing Co. | Total Revenue (US Million Dollar) |
Net Income (Million Dollar) |
Utilization ratio(%) |
Total Fleet (1000TEU) |
| Triton | $11,350.30 | $349.60 | 98.2 | 6,166 |
| Textainer | $613.00 | $51.00 | 98.1 | 3,355 |
It is really surprising to know that the annual average rate of utilization of 2 big leasing companies were beyond 98%. It can be understood how strong the seller’s market was last year. Judging from the current global container demand situation, there is the reason that utilization rate does not fall as long as the major lease company has maintained a large number of the fleet. The shipping line could not replenish enough number of containers when distribution changes. As long as the shipping line could not replenish containers speculatively they cannot but depend on the new production and depot containers of the leasing companies. The large number of containers is power. The major lease company is stable unless something like Lehman shock happens.
New container price of the end of Feb. is $1,770 per 20f. The total number of the new containers in China factories is 721,000TEU (Dry: 690,000TEU, Reefer: 31,000TEU).
We began sale of Reachstacker made in Kalmar with the head office in Finland from this year. When I visited Europe in the past I used to see a large forklift catching my eye with interest. I had an interest for it very much because there is not much opportunity to see it in Japan. Meantime, a chance to sell products of Kalmar in Japan came to me. Kalmar brand is old and has a long history. The establishment dates back until 1883. I realized that there was Reachstacker which I saw in a dream. Reachstacker, product which I thought that I wish to be able to sell it in Japan. I cannot readily express the surprise or joy by words. I would like to offer Reachstacker of excellent Kalmar company to everybody by all means.