River construction, an empty store, and a Buddhist priest

 The major flood prevention work on the Naka River is still in full swing. Here they are rebuilding as section of the left bank of the river.

 The Japanese economy has still not recovered, although it is doing better than a few years ago. This large store is empty and showed no signs of being prepared for occupation.

This Buddhist priest is standing in front of a shop, chanting a sutra. He has an alms box and probably someone will come out and give him some small coins as a gift. However, if no one comes out, he will finish the sutra and than move on, just as if they had come out.