My father has been a woodworker for 35 years. He makes wooden bowls and such, and lacquers them Japanese-style. My mother helps my father and makes chopsticks, using various kinds of wood. They run a shop in a small town and struggle to earn a living. They seem to work eagerly and put their hearts into their efforts, but their life is difficult.

I wonder why it is so hard for many people who are working earnestly to be rewarded. In the present economic situation, how do they find hope of succeeding at their jobs?

Recently much production has come from China, even Japanese traditional craft items. They can be mass-produced and imported here at a low price. But these works squeeze domestic producers. I think dependence on imports and the transfer of production offshore have made it more difficult to find jobs.

In Japan, many skilled craftsmen as well as small-to-medium-size enterprises have superior skills. I wish it were possible for people who make an effort to be abundantly compensated.

The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.

kei horikawa