As we enter the third year of the Covid pandemic I am indeed very grateful for not getting ill with the virus. Nonetheless, I have frankly come close to cracking under the strain of constant mask wearing, self-isolation, social distancing and all the other restrictions.

It has perhaps been especially hard having moved to a distant land with high hopes for a new life adventure. I had anticipated there would be many challenges but was unprepared for the Covid experience. Being deprived of the company of family and friends, the added barriers to building new relationships, and otherwise unable to live a “normal” lifestyle has been disappointing.

With the luxury of time and experience, I enjoy studying and observing the political dynamics at play in Japan. My conclusion: The more things change, the more they remain the same.

The most recent example: Japan’s “New Capitalism.”

Japan’s new prime minister Kishida Fumio’s promised a “New Capitalism,” his big idea to reinvigorate the country’s economy.  Months after his election its meaning is still unclear.

The biggest changes under Mr. Kishida have been rhetorical.  His “New Capitalism” appears to be a collection old ideas and empty buzzwords rather than a dynamic approach and structural reforms to deal with the country’s chronic economic ills and growing inequality.

Independent analysts point to the ghosts of the failed policies of former LDP prime ministers, from the “garden city” concept advocated by Ohira Masayoshi in the 1970s to Abe Shinzo’s so-called “Abenomics” from 2012 to 2020.

With Mr. Kishida’s voter approval ratings near 60%, it would appear that barring a major pandemic-related setback, there is little expectation of any significant change.

Bold words may make good politics, but are unlikely to help the economy.

“Behold, we know not anything;
I can but trust that good shall fall
At last — far off — at last, to all,
And every winter change to spring.”
― Alfred Lord Tennyson

Setsubun is a season changing festival held on February 2, 3 or 4, the day before “Risshun”, the first day of spring according to the Japanese lunar calendar. In 2022 it is celebrated on February 3rd.

Although not a national holiday, the Japanese have been celebrating Setsubun for centuries by performing rituals with the purpose of chasing away evil spirits at the start of spring.

In earlier times it was customary to loudly bang drums while burning dried sardines in order to deter evil spirits from entering your home. Now a common setsubun ritual is the throwing of roasted beans around one’s house. When throwing the beans, you shout “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” (“Devils out, happiness in”) and afterwards pick up and eat the number of beans which corresponds to your age. There are many variants.

But the most widespread custom, with or without other various embellishments, is the eating eho-maki sushi rolls.

Keiko and I have had much fun over the years with Setsubun celebration rituals.* Today we simply and quietly observed Setsubun by eating eho-maki sushi rolls for dinner.

However, like most Japanese customs, we had to follow the Rules about the proper way to eat the eho-maki! The most important thing about eho-maki is the unique way in which you eat it.

• First, the eho-maki is not an ordinary sushi roll. There are Seven Gods of Fortune that symbolize wealth and happiness in Japan and this sushi roll is prepared using seven different ingredients representing these Seven Gods of Fortune. The ingredients are wrapped into a very thick roll with rice and seaweed.

• Second, you must eat it whole. Failure to finish the role risks losing your good fortune! Considering the roll is about 1-2 inches in diameter and 5-8 inches long, it is easier said than done. Washing it down with ample amounts of sake helps the process.

• Third, when eating your eho-maki, stand facing the lucky direction of the year as you wish for prosperity and good health. The lucky direction changes every year. The direction to face while eating your eho-maki in 2022 is north-north-west. And don’t look away!

• Fourth, eat in complete silence until you are done! It is believed that speaking while eating could let your luck escape.

If you have not had a Setsubun experience, give it a try. It is a great fun way to celebrate the start of spring!

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*My favorite memories are of those we organized at the University of Maine. Check my blog post archives.

My favorite toy was a beloved 1972 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser.  Purchased in 1977, it was the last vehicle I sold before I departed for Japan in October 2019.  It was a tearful ending of a 42-year love affair.

I spent countless hours and dollars restoring, upgrading, maintaining and operating my venerable FJ40, one of 35 vehicles I have owned in my lifetime.[1]

Toyota’s legendary Land Cruiser has a history that stretches back to the ’50s.  Launched in 1951, the Land Cruiser is Toyota’s longest-selling vehicle.  Over time, the once rugged short wheel-based 4X4 with awesome off-road capabilities became a powerful luxury SUV.  Sadly, the latest model revamped in 2021 for the first time in 14 years may also be its last.

With waiting times already stretching out to two years, Toyota just announced that customers in Japan face a four-year wait for the delivery of a new Land Cruiser.  It is unclear when and if the vehicle will be available elsewhere in the world.

I found it interesting that the Land Cruiser’s popularity in Japan has only recently increased as outdoor camping boomed here amid the pandemic.  According to news reports, Tokyo area car dealerships are asking buyers to sign pledges saying they aren’t purchasing the new model for resale purposes reflecting after-market prices of more than ¥15 million ($132,000) for the new Land Cruiser model compared with the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of around ¥5 million to ¥8 million, including tax.

The FJ 40 is the most popular variant of all Land Cruisers.  Introduced in 1960, the FJ40 has achieved classic car status with a significant world-wide following of enthusiasts and collectors.  In South America and Africa, the classic FJ is not really a classic—they are still indispensable for daily personal and commercial use.

I have seen only a few FJ40s in Tokyo but suspect there are more scattered throughout the country and I expect interest in the restoration of the classic 40 Series models will grow in Japan as is has in the United States. I had explored shipping my FJ40 to Japan, but found the import entry restrictions prohibitive.  Had it been possible, just imagine the enjoyment (and potential resale value)!

I no longer have a driver’s license but remain an FJ40 enthusiast and still carry a torch for the classic FJ.  The detailed 1/12 scale RC model I built of this most fondly remembered Toy is a remaining treasure.

Toyota receives numerous requests for the return of the FJ40 series or a later upscaled model called the FJ Cruiser. There have been many hopeful rumors circulating and fading for years. Is it just wishful thinking? Or will Toyota one day bring back the iconic FJ40 Land Cruiser?

[1] Be sure to see a series of upcoming posts on my first car, the complete FJ40 restoration story, and information on the many other vehicles I have owned in my lifetime.