Since my 2019 relocation to Japan I have experienced two unexpected and extraordinary events: the COVID pandemic and Japan’s worst heat wave on record.

In Tokyo on Saturday, temperatures exceeded 35 Celsius (about 95 degrees Fahrenheit) for the eighth straight day. According to Japan’s Meteorological Agency, the capital has only seen such a streak once before since 1875.

Heat stroke and exhaustion are a major concern and Japan’s aging population is especially vulnerable. Over 4,500 people with symptoms were taken to hospitals in recent days; a number more than four times greater from the same period a year ago.

Since we walk or ride bikes for all our local activities, we have been very careful to avoid exposure. We have kept air-conditioners running and I have halted my daily 5K fitness walks to avoid heat stroke; even very early morning and evening attempts were dangerous. Toma has been particularly affected by the heat.

Typhoon season, the next expected weather events, could also be troubling.

What is objectionable, what is dangerous about extremists is not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant.
–– Robert F. Kennedy

The Japanese yen continued its fall relative to the U.S. dollar, trading at 126.3 yesterday, its lowest level against the U.S. dollar in nearly 20 years. Expert commentary suggests the yen could trade in the 130 yen range.

While there are several conditions that have led to the rise of the dollar, such as the geopolitical turmoil of the Russia-Ukraine war roiling global markets, it primarily reflects different monetary policy approaches between Japan’s central bank and the U.S. Federal Reserve.

For me, the stronger dollar means I receive more yen when transferring funds from U.S. bank accounts to Japan as well as lower prices for credit card purchases.

Over my lifetime I have had the extraordinary experience to witness, as a participant or an observer, many significant social, political, cultural or sports-related events.

Here are two interesting recent examples of sports related events where I was a “witness to history”.

Sunday, April 10 was the final day of the 2022 Masters golf tournament. I stayed up all night watching the tournament live on Tokyo TV (listening to English commentary via Sirius radio and various online reports).

Twenty-five years ago on that day I had a front row seat on the 18th green to witness a young American golfer finish one of the most memorable rounds in golf history. Tiger Woods won the 1997 Masters at Augusta, Georgia, setting records for the lowest score (270 strokes) and the widest margin of victory (12). Seeing Tiger make his remarkable comeback was inspirational!

Early on Sunday as I sleepily scanned cable TV sports coverage I stumbled on the last innings of the first perfect game in Nippon Professional Baseball in 28 years. The pitcher, twenty-year old Roki Sasaki, threw only 105 pitches and set a Japanese pro baseball record by striking out 13 consecutive batters en route to Japan’s 16th perfect game. Another extraordinary performance.

I still recall as a young boy watching on a black and white TV the perfect game thrown by NY Yankee pitcher Don Larsen in game 5 of the 1956 World Series. It is the only post-season perfect game in major league baseball history.

Keiko and I visited her family home area of Tokyo’s Asakusa district for a wonderful cherry blossom viewing experience.