TOKYO -- A number of corporate workers wearing masks prayed for business success at a central Tokyo shrine on Jan. 4 -- this year's first day of work at many companies in Japan.

       While this is the second New Year amid the coronavirus pandemic, the number of visitors to Kanda Myoujin shrine in the capital's Chiyoda Ward has apparently increased compared to last year.

       Visitors pray for business prosperity and other luck at Kanda Myoujin shrine in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on Jan. 4, 2022. (Mainichi/Kaho Kitayama) =Click/tap photo for more images.

       The shrine is located near Tokyo's business districts such as Otemachi and Marunouchi, and some 10,000 companies make reservations to offer worship there in January in normal years. According to the shrine, there were reservations from about 2,500 firms over Jan. 4 to 5, and the number of worshippers in January is expected to recover to some 80% of that in a typical year.

       Emi Matsuo, 25, who visited the shrine with three of her colleagues at an insurance company, said, "I prayed that the coronavirus pandemic will end this year and we will be able to work in a normal manner."

       Norio Mashiko, 49, a Tokyo sales office chief at a chemical trading firm, said he prayed that he can achieve his sales goal without any trouble this year.

       (Japanese original by Seiho Akimaru, Tokyo City News Department)

       In Photos: People pray for business success at Tokyo shrine on year's 1st day of work

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