Ambrosio Spinola
01-05-2006, 08:45 AM
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyID=2006-01-05T081639Z_01_MOL529468_RTRIDST_0_OUKOE-UK-JAPAN-ECONOMY-GODS.XML
TOKYO (Reuters) - In another sign Japan's economy is picking up, many Japanese made bigger offerings this year on New Year's pilgrimages to a shrine dedicated to an ancient rice god associated with wealth.
"People are more positive this year and it would appear from what I've heard that donations may be more than last year," said an official at the Fushimi Inari shrine in the western city of Kyoto, once the ancient capital of Japan.
Rising company profits, soaring stock prices, falling unemployment and higher winter bonuses appear to have inclined many to pay well for divine favours sought.
"There are a lot more 10,000-yen notes than the average year," one official donation counter at Fushimi Inari told the Mainichi daily. A note is the equivalent of about $85 (48 pounds).
"I hope the economy continues to improve like this."
The shrine does not disclose the tally of donations from worshippers, who numbered some 2.7 million this year -- 40,000 more than last year.
Almost three quarters of Japan's population, or some 93 million people, visited shrines and temples over the new year, the highest number since 1974.
TOKYO (Reuters) - In another sign Japan's economy is picking up, many Japanese made bigger offerings this year on New Year's pilgrimages to a shrine dedicated to an ancient rice god associated with wealth.
"People are more positive this year and it would appear from what I've heard that donations may be more than last year," said an official at the Fushimi Inari shrine in the western city of Kyoto, once the ancient capital of Japan.
Rising company profits, soaring stock prices, falling unemployment and higher winter bonuses appear to have inclined many to pay well for divine favours sought.
"There are a lot more 10,000-yen notes than the average year," one official donation counter at Fushimi Inari told the Mainichi daily. A note is the equivalent of about $85 (48 pounds).
"I hope the economy continues to improve like this."
The shrine does not disclose the tally of donations from worshippers, who numbered some 2.7 million this year -- 40,000 more than last year.
Almost three quarters of Japan's population, or some 93 million people, visited shrines and temples over the new year, the highest number since 1974.