According to the nationwide bankruptcy situation published by Tokyo Shoko Research, 6,880 companies went bankrupt in fiscal 2022. Although it is at a low level, it has increased for the first time in three years. There are 1,777 COVID-19 related bankruptcies. It increased 1.4 times compared to the previous year. During  COVID-19 pandemic, the government’s support helped keep the level at a record low. , the number of bankruptcies is expected to increase further. The highest number of bankruptcies since 2000 was 19,164 in 2001.
Among the companies that went bankrupt in 2022, the one that surprised me personally was Makino Publishing. The company published health-related magazines and books targeting seniors. Although it was seen by others as a solid business in an aging society, business performance deteriorated due to the corona crisis, and the rise in paper prices in recent years added to the problem.

COVID-19 is getting over, and there are no restrictions such as declaring a state of emergency. That’s great news, but the next challenge is the economic recovery. Although the city has regained its vitality and people’s expressions have softened, this is due to the relief of being freed from the restrictions imposed by the corona crisis, not because the economy is doing well. Rather, the economy is bad and many companies are out of breath. This fiscal year, when the government’s support ends, there is a possibility that the economic slump will come to the fore.
Fuel and material costs remain high, and labor costs are on the rise. It is a big pressure for companies and they cannot let their guard down.

I feel happy that the corona disaster is over, but I can’t be relieved. Rather, he is straightening his collar, saying that he must be more careful than during the corona crisis. In that sense, fiscal 2023 marks the beginning of the post-corona era, and is positioned as the year of the first trials. If this figure is exceeded, the economy is expected to pick up in preparation for the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. (Kei Kitajima)