Into the World:
The Random Thoughts in My Mind

The 24-hour gym that I go to near my apartment is moving up the technology chain. Replacing a contactless card key system that allows users to go in and out, the gym recently introduced a facial recognition system that allows those registered to open the door just by scanning their faces. It is more convenient for users who are unwilling to carry their card keys around. And from the gym's perspective, it effectively prevents users from lending their card keys to their non-paying friends. The goal is to eventually entice all users to switch over to the facial recognition system and get rid of all card key users. Some users seem to be quite resistant. Even though the gym sent multiple emails to users about registering their faces for the new system, and posted the same notice on the gym's premises, the majority of the users continue to show up with their card keys. Even though gym staff is around when these users visit, the users do not seem to have any intention of speaking to t...

Like other countries in the world, summer in Japan is often defined by summer festivals, ranging from more traditional family outings in local shrines and fireworks events, to more modern ones that involve trending musicians from all over the world. In the pre-COVID days, crowds would have gathered by the thousands, crowding around stages and drinking from dawn to dusk. Even when outdoor festivals are not happening, balmy summer nights would have driven many youngsters to the plentiful bars and nightclubs of the country's biggest cities, as hopping among them would have taken such a physical toll.

Turn on Japanese TV and one often sees programs about foreigners living in the country. The shows have foreigners introducing their cultures to a Japanese audience, stories about foreigners who lived in the country for decades and how they interact with the community, and unfortunately, many foreigners who choose to caricature their own cultures to make a living as foreign TV stars. But as COVID rages on and Japan remains firmly shut to the very idea of accepting new long-term foreign residents, TV shows about foreigners have also evolved somewhat in line with the changing attitudes during COVID.