Kyodo News – Author Carlo Carrasco

Higher Departure Tax And Visa Fees In Japan Implemented

July 3, 2026July 2, 2026carlocarrasco

Since July 1, the departure tax in Japan has been raised significantly covering both Japanese and foreign travelers in what is clearly a move to fund measures against the rising number of issues related with the surge of inbound tourism, according to a news report by Kyodo News. At the same time, visa fees were also raised dramatically.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…

The Japanese government on Wednesday tripled the departure tax to 3,000 yen ($18) per person to fund measures against issues arising from the surge in inbound tourism.

Fees for foreigner visitors who need visas to enter Japan were also hiked on Wednesday, rising fivefold to 15,000 yen for single-entry and 30,000 yen for multiple entries. Meanwhile, on the same day, the government reduced passport application fees for Japanese nationals to make up for the added burden from the departure tax.

The tax is collected through travel ticket purchases, regardless of the passenger’s nationality. The government will use the tax income primarily to finance measures aimed at easing congestion, such as setting up designated areas at popular photo spots that are often crowded with foreign tourists.

It will also support regional tourism initiatives, such as turning local railways into tourist attractions and renovating station buildings, in an effort to attract visitors away from heavily congested areas.

Travelers transiting through Japan and staying less than 24 hours in the country, as well as children under the age of 2, are exempt from the tax. Passengers who purchased their travel tickets by Tuesday were charged the original departure tax of 1,000 yen.

Known officially as the international tourist tax, it raised about 49 billion yen in fiscal 2025 ended March and is expected to generate around 130 billion yen in fiscal 2026.

The tax is collected by airlines, cruise lines and travel agencies upon purchase of air and sea tickets departing Japan and remitted to the government, according to the Japan Tourism Agency.

The hike in entry visa fees was the first increase since 1978.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said earlier the fees were raised to reflect inflation and the yen’s depreciation, and that the move is not expected to have an immediate impact on inbound tourism.

Japan’s visa fees had been considered low compared with those charged by other Group of Seven countries.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? What can you say about the hiked fees regarding Japanese visa and the departure tax? Do you plan to visit Japan very soon?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

First Pig Kidney Transplant Trial In Japan Could Happen As Early As 2028

June 30, 2026June 29, 2026carlocarrasco

Clinical trials of pig kidney transplants to humans could start as early as 2028 in two specific hospitals in Japan, according to a news report by Kyodo News. This one-of-a-kind development, if successful, could help Japan address the shortage of organ donors.

It should be recalled that a recipient of a pig kidney in the United States survived a record-breaking 271 days before the organ had to be removed. Over a hundred thousand people in America are currently waiting for organ transplants and most of them in need of kidneys.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…

A Japanese startup said Monday it will conduct clinical trials of pig kidney transplants to humans at two hospitals as early as 2028, which if successful would likely make them the first of their kind in the country.

It is hoped that organ transplants from pigs to humans will address the shortage of organ donors in Japan. Pig kidney transplants have previously been carried out on a trial basis in the United States and China.

According to the Meiji University venture, PorMedTec, the kidneys, which have been genetically modified to prevent organ rejection, will be transplanted at Hokkaido University Hospital in Sapporo and Shonan Kamakura General Hospital in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture.

“We want to lay the foundation of xenotransplantation in Japan,” Hiroshi Nagashima, a Meiji University professor and representative director of the company, said in a press release, referring to the surgical transfer of non-human animals’ organs to human recipients.

The startup imports genetically modified pig cells developed by U.S. biotechnology company eGenesis Inc. and produces pigs with the same features in Japan. The genes of the animal have been modified in 69 areas to prevent organs from being rejected by recipients’ bodies.

The Japanese firm said it will finalize plans for the clinical trial and hopes to promote the widespread use of the treatment for patients with severe kidney failure once manufacturing and marketing approval is granted.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? What is the first thing you think of when it comes to transplanting animal organs into human bodies? Are you concerned that kidneys from pigs are not 100% compatible with humans? How many members of your local community suffer from kidney-related problems?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Japan To Significantly Raise Foreigner Entry Visa Fees Starting July

June 21, 2026June 20, 2026carlocarrasco

As Japan continues to attract many millions of visitors from around the world, the government proceeded to raise the single-entry visa fees and multiple-entry visa fees for foreigners significantly and they will take effect on July 1, 2026, according to a news report by Kyodo News.

Keep in mind that this is actually the first time Japan increased the rate since 1978 and in today’s economy, one American Dollar is worth over 160 Yen. The last time I visited Japan, the exchange rate was 106 Yen to US$1.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…

The Japanese government on Friday decided to raise single-entry visa fees for foreigners fivefold to 15,000 yen ($90) from 3,000 yen beginning in July, marking the first increase since 1978 amid inflation and the yen’s depreciation.

Issuance fees for multiple-entry visas, which allow visitors to enter Japan multiple times over a set period, will be hiked from 6,000 yen to 30,000 yen.

“We do not expect the move to have an immediate impact on inbound tourism,” Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said during a press conference.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Were you planning to visit Japan after July 1 this year? Do the pending hikes of visa entry fees for foreigners discourage you from visiting Japan? Have you started researching the process of applying for a Japan visa lately?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Japanese Prime Minister Hails US-Iran Deal

June 17, 2026June 16, 2026carlocarrasco

During her European visit, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae hailed the deal between the United States and the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran to end the fighting while paving the way for international oil tankers to safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a news report by Kyodo News. Japan also remained consistent in its opposition to Iran’s nuclear weapons ambition.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Kyodo News report. Some parts in boldface…

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday hailed a U.S.-Iranian deal aimed at ending their monthslong war as a “big step” to de-escalating the conflict that has brought uncertainty to the global economy and roiled her resource-poor country.

Takaichi, who stopped by Italy before attending the Group of Seven summit in France, also told reporters Japan will take part in a joint statement issued by four European nations that welcomed the development and touched on minesweeping operations toward achieving the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

“We have been asked to participate…and we will,” the prime minister said about the statement by the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Italy, after U.S. President Donald Trump said a deal with Iran has been reached that will lead to the reopening of the key energy artery, which has been effectively closed amid the conflict.

Takaichi noted it is important that the contents of the memorandum of understanding, which Trump said will be signed Friday, are “steadily implemented” as well as the “free and safe navigation” of vessels through the strait.

Japan, which has traditionally maintained amicable ties with Iran, has been making “proactive diplomatic efforts” based on the position that “what matters most is de-escalation of the situation,” she also said.

The joint statement by the European nations vowed support for the implementation of the U.S.-Iran deal “rapidly and comprehensively,” while noting that “the urgent re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz with unconditional and unrestricted freedom of navigation is essential.”

“We are committed to playing our part to achieve this — in accordance with our respective constitutional requirements — including through a strictly defensive and independent mission to reassure commercial shipping and conduct mine clearance operations,” it said.

With discussions between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear development to start after the signing of the deal, the statement also said the European countries are “prepared to lift relevant sanctions in response to clear, verifiable steps by Iran” toward scrapping its program.

Takaichi reiterated Japan’s position of opposing Iran’s development of nuclear weapons, citing her country’s experience of being the only country to have suffered atomic bombing in the final stage of World War II.

In Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said at a press conference that the memorandum, if implemented properly, would “help reduce risks to both the Japanese and global economies by ensuring free and safe navigation” through the strait.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Are you convinced that US-Iran deal will ensure complete nuclear disarmament of the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran? Do you think the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will pave the way for significant oil price reductions? Once revealed publicly, do you think the final details of the US-Iran deal will satisfy Japan and the European nations?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

America Tags BYD, Alibaba, Baidu And Others For Involvement With Chinese Military

June 10, 2026June 9, 2026carlocarrasco

Business giants Alibaba, Baidu, BYD and many other Chinese companies have officially been identified by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) as entities that were involved with the military of Communist China, according to a Kyodo News report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Kyodo News report. Some parts in boldface…

The U.S. Defense Department said Monday it has added Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Baidu Inc., BYD Co. and other leading Chinese companies to a long list of entities it believes to be working with China’s military.

The expansion of the list comes after U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to stabilize bilateral relations during talks in Beijing in mid-May, despite intense geopolitical rivalry and disputes over numerous issues.

In designating the companies, the U.S. department asserted that BYD, China’s largest electric vehicle maker, and internet titans Alibaba and Baidu contribute to the country’s defense industrial base as they are affiliated with its Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

The Pentagon believes China’s “military-civil fusion” strategy has helped modernize the People’s Liberation Army. It is required by law to annually update and publish the list of so-called Chinese military companies operating directly or indirectly in the United States.

While appearing on the list does not lead immediately to legal steps by U.S. agencies, such as export controls or sanctions, the reputations of those named can be impacted. The department is also restricted from entering into contracts with designated entities.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think this development will influence other governments and corporations to avoid signing contracts with Chinese companies that have been working with China’s military? Do you think your local or regional government has signed deals with any of the Chinese companies that have been tagged by the US Department of Defense? Are you concerned that Chinese businesses have stolen technologies and other pieces of critical information from your nation’s government or the private sector?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Japan Approves Bills To Raise Visa Fees And Introduce Online Pre-Entry Screening

June 4, 2026May 29, 2026carlocarrasco

Recently members of Japan’s parliament approved an immigration control law revision that effectively raised fees for foreigners applying for residence status while also paving the way for the introduction of the online pre-entry screening covering those coming from abroad, according to a news report by Kyodo News.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Kyodo News report. Some parts in boldface…

Japan’s parliament on Friday passed an immigration control law revision to raise the maximum fee for residence status applications by foreigners and introduce an online pre-entry travel authorization system for overseas arrivals.

Once the fee changes are implemented later this fiscal year, the upper limit will be set at 100,000 yen ($630) for visa renewals and 300,000 yen for permanent residency applications, marking a sharp increase from the existing threshold of 10,000 yen.

The fees are currently 6,000 yen for changing residence status or extending the period of stay and 10,000 yen for permanent residency. The new fees will be formally set by a Cabinet order after soliciting public comments.

The government, which has cited rising costs for the revision, has said it will ease the payment burden on humanitarian grounds and for those facing financial difficulties, but lawmakers have pointed out during parliamentary deliberations that the criteria for such considerations remain unclear.

The Immigration Services Agency plans to formulate guidelines setting forth specific requirements and other details.

The latest revision also includes the establishment of the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization, with an eye on implementation in fiscal 2028.

The system, aimed at preventing terrorism and illegal employment, targets 74 countries and regions whose citizens qualify for visa-free entry for short stays.

Travelers will be required to provide information online, such as their name, purpose of visit, and destination, several days prior to departure, which will be cross-checked against criminal records and other databases.

If there is a suspicion of illegal overstaying, travelers will be denied boarding on planes or ships.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the newly approved measures will help Japan control immigration better while also enhancing the security of its citizens? Do you think the raised fees will discourage Third World foreigners from migrating to Japan?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Tanker With Oil From The Middle East Finally Arrives In Japan

May 30, 2026May 26, 2026carlocarrasco

After previously getting blocked from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a Japanese oil tanker finally arrived home with two million barrels of crude oil from the Middle East and they did not pay a transit fee to the terrorist state of Iran, according to a Kyodo News report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…

A Japanese oil tanker arrived in Japan on Monday, becoming the first to transit the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the Iran war, which has left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted.

The tanker, operated by a unit of major refiner Idemitsu Kosan Co., brought 2 million barrels of crude, equivalent to about 80 percent of daily domestic demand, to Aichi Prefecture in central Japan, according to sources close to the matter.

Its crew, including three Japanese, is in good health, they said.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told a press conference the ship’s arrival in Japan is “pleasant news in terms of securing a stable energy supply.”

After the effective closure of the strait by Iran, the Japanese government asked the country to ensure free and safe passage through the strait for vessels of all countries.

There are still 39 Japan-related vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf, including one with Japanese crew members aboard, said Kihara, the top government spokesman.

“We will continue to proactively make all diplomatic efforts and ensure coordination,” so all vessels can pass through the strait as soon as possible, he added.

According to data from the Automatic Identification System on vessels, the Idemitsu Maru, a Panamanian-flagged ship measuring more than 300 meters, entered the Persian Gulf in late February before the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran.

It loaded crude oil in Saudi Arabia and left in early March after the strait was blocked. Its passage was temporarily halted off the coast of Abu Dhabi, but it passed the Strait of Hormuz on April 28. It did not pay Iran a transit fee, the sources said.

After leaving the Persian Gulf, the vessel passed through waters off India and the Strait of Malacca before arriving in Japan.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the remaining stranded Japanese oil tankers will eventually pass through the Straight of Hormuz to deliver crude oil home safely? Do you think the terrorist regime of Iran will harass international oil tankers and engage in extortion soon?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Japan To Launch Survey On Population Of Bears Following Surge In Attacks On People

May 27, 2026May 22, 2026carlocarrasco

In response to the recent surge of bear attacks on people, Japan will start an official survey on the population of bears particularly in the Tohoku region covering six prefectures, according to a news report by Kyodo News.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Kyodo News Some parts in boldface…

The Environment Ministry will begin surveying bear populations in Japan’s northeastern Tohoku region and vicinity in June by setting up about 800 cameras in mountains, it said earlier this week, following a surge in bear attacks on humans.

Camera traps and other means will be used to help count black bears in the six prefectures of Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Yamagata, Miyagi and Fukushima — collectively known as Tohoku — as well as adjacent Niigata, with the estimates to be released possibly by early next year.

The survey plan was revealed as Japan saw a record high number of 238 people injured or killed by bear attacks in the year through March.

It was reported at a recent meeting of ministers on measures against bears that more of the animals were spotted in Tohoku in April than in the same month last year.

The ministry said it will conduct surveys in other areas of Japan in fiscal 2027.

Regarding a survey in the northern island of Hokkaido, inhabited by brown bears, the ministry plans to mainly use a method of collecting body hair to count and estimate their numbers.

The ministry also plans to survey the tiny population of black bears on Shikoku, in western Japan, but no research is planned for the adjacent island of Kyushu, where the animals are believed to have gone extinct.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the Japanese government’s approved survey on the population of bears will turn out successful and helpful? Were you able to witness a bear attack a person there in Japan?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Economy Of Japan Grows 2.1% In 1st Quarter Of 2026

May 24, 2026May 19, 2026carlocarrasco

Thanks to the recovery in exports and private consumption, the economy of Japan grew by 2.1% in the first quarter this year, according to a Kyodo News report. Still, there will be challenges ahead for the Japanese economy as the nation is still dependent on the Middle East for its crude oil needs and there is the possibility that the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran could start a new series of conflicts in the said region.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Kyodo News Some parts in boldface…

Japan’s economy grew an annualized real 2.1 percent in the January-March period, marking the second straight quarterly expansion, led by a recovery in exports and private consumption, government data showed Tuesday, with the full impact of the Middle East conflict yet to be felt.

In the first quarter of 2026, gross domestic product adjusted for inflation increased 0.5 percent from the October-December period, the Cabinet Office said in its preliminary report, beating market expectations. GDP is the total value of goods and services produced in a country.

Economists polled by the Japan Center for Economic Research had forecast an annualized real expansion of 1.56 percent while expecting growth to slow to 0.45 percent in the April-June quarter, amid concern that the Middle East crisis and surging crude oil prices will weigh on corporate profits and consumer spending.

In the January-March period, private consumption, which accounts for more than half of the economy, grew 0.3 percent, rising for the fifth straight quarter, helped by strong demand for clothing and a boost in spending at restaurants, an official said.

Spending was also underpinned by state subsidies for gas and electricity bills and solid wage growth, as rising earnings saw companies move to attract and retain talent, economists said.

But with data showing a rapid deterioration in consumer sentiment due to the Middle East conflict, its impact on private consumption warrants close attention, another government official said.

In the January-March period, exports rose 1.7 percent from the October-December quarter on a recovery in auto shipments bound for the U.S. market and strong demand for machinery and electrical devices for industrial purposes. Imports edged up 0.5 percent.

Economists said shipments to the world’s largest economy have been recovering due to receding uncertainty over U.S. tariff policy following a bilateral deal struck last year.

Business investment rose 0.3 percent from the previous quarter, with increased expenditure for research and development on the back of robust corporate profits and for general-purpose machinery and electric lighting fixtures, the first official said.

She said the impact on the data of the Middle East conflict, triggered by U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran that began in late February, was unclear.

Prolonged tensions in the Middle East could affect imports of crude oil and petroleum products such as naphtha and hit exports bound for the region, economists said.

GDP was dampened 0.1 percentage point by a reduction in private inventories, apparently due to the government’s decision to release oil from stockpiles, starting with those held by the private sector.

Japan’s heavy reliance on oil imports from the Middle East makes the country vulnerable to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping artery, with surging oil prices feared to drive up inflation.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Monday the government will consider compiling a supplementary budget for fiscal 2026 to ease the impact of elevated crude oil prices.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the economy of Japan can still maintain its growth rate in the 2^nd quarter? Do you think Japan will soon import oil from other parts of the world to reduce its dependence on the Middle East? Do you think Japan’s ties with Trump-led America will open new windows that will help Japanese exporters a lot?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Trump Shares Details Of US-China Summit With Prime Minister Takaichi

May 17, 2026May 16, 2026carlocarrasco

Following the recent summit between the United States and China, US President Donald Trump shared the details with Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae via a phone call, according to a news report by Kyodo News.

Recently, Trump visited China and met with their president Xi Jinping. It is noted that there is tension between China and Japan. As such, Trump’s sharing of the details with Takaichi is significant.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Kyodo News Some parts in boldface…

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Friday U.S. President Donald Trump briefed her by phone in “great detail” on his meeting in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Takaichi told reporters after speaking with Trump, who was aboard Air Force One after wrapping up a three-day stay from Wednesday in China, that she is “deeply grateful” for how he brought up Japan, a close U.S. ally, during his meeting with Xi, though she did not elaborate.

Takaichi and Trump also exchanged views on “various challenges regarding China,” in such fields as security and the economy, and agreed to continue to communicate closely in dealing with the situation in the Indo-Pacific region, she said.

“With President Trump, I affirmed the unwavering Japan-U.S. alliance,” Takaichi said at her office.

Trump has said he and Xi made some “fantastic trade deals” without elaborating, and that they feel “very similar” about the need to end the war in Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Takaichi and Trump last met in Washington in March, where they “opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo, including by force or coercion,” according to the White House, in an apparent reference to China’s growing economic and military clout.

Ties between Japan and China have been frayed since Takaichi, known for her hawkish security views, infuriated China with her parliamentary remarks in November that a Taiwan contingency could be a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan that could trigger a response by the Self-Defense Forces in support of the United States.

Taiwan, a self-ruled democratic island claimed by Beijing, is viewed as a potential military flashpoint that could draw the United States into conflict with China, posing serious security challenges for Japan.

Before the U.S.-China summit, Japan had been concerned that Trump, known for his deal-making approach, could make compromises on issues regarding Taiwan.

After his meeting with Xi, Trump told reporters that he thinks there is no risk of conflict with China over Taiwan, and that he made “no commitment” to Xi over the island. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that U.S. policies on Taiwan remain unchanged.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the United States will have stable ground when dealing with both China and Japan? Could it be possible that China will bully Japan less this year? Do you think there will be more stability in the Pacific and in financial markets as far as Japan and China are concerned?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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