I hope everyone is doing well in the year 2024, which has begun with a tumultuous start. Since it is the beginning of a new year, let me make a prediction about the future of our patient's circumstances. I will try to be neither too pessimistic nor too optimistic. First, let me talk about medicine. Medical science will surely progress. And new drugs will be developed. I think a good line of optimism is that we will be able to experience the maximum use of Menecit at all times. But it will cost money. Although it is designated as an intractable disease, most of the medical and development costs for these drugs in Japan come from the national treasury. With the government's finances in such a bad state, it is unlikely that such remarkable progress will be made. And, as an aside, I doubt that the salaries of doctors will increase that much either. This is because, after all, medical expenses are mainly dependent on the national treasury. Some may say that it would be better to stop depending on the government treasury, but that would mean that most poor Parkinson's patients would not be able to use good drugs. Even now, Parkinson's patients are rarely hospitalized. So the only place where cuts can be made is in drug prices and drug usage. It is kind of a blotchy story at the beginning of the New Year.
For Japan to make money, young people need to start new businesses. But there are fewer and fewer young people. Aspiring, talented young people in Japan will generally go to the US. When I look at Shohei Otani, I feel a sense of pride. If Shohei Otani made 100 billion yen, would we feel a little better? No. Shohei Otani's taxes are paid to the U.S. government, so we don't gain a penny. The U.S. does not have a hometown tax payment system. We need to import more Japanese traditional crafted helmets to the U.S. for about 10 billion yen. And there will only be left in Japan the kind-hearted young and old who are not good enough to earn enough money in the US. It would be unreasonable to expect Japan to become the most bubbly society in the world. People all over the world have always been amazed at and respected the high level of Japanese culture. Even now, there are people who have made a name for themselves in animation and film. Japan also has many fans in terms of safety and convenience of life. In China, where people say they hate Japan, the wealthy actually love Japan. They do not say so outwardly. If they didn't, they wouldn't be buying so much. I believe that Japan can become a country that the rest of the world envies. If so, I think it is within the realm of possibility with the excellent Japanese people. If we work humbly with such an intention, I think we can have an economic power that would make us one of the best in the world.
Translated with DeepL and edited by the author.