Is Giving Every Child One Share Truly Fair? — Reflections on the Economy and the Use of Wealth from the Ehime Shimbun Wednesday, October 21, 2026 Reiwa 8 (2026) — Day 55 of Hospitalization Five Days Until Discharge

1. Reading the Economy Through Numbers

As usual, I opened the economic pages of the Ehime Shimbun today.

The exchange rate was around 158 yen to the US dollar, and the Nikkei Stock Average closed at 64,075.42 yen, down 841.28 points from the previous day. The TOPIX also fell, and declining stocks greatly outnumbered advancing stocks.

Concerns about semiconductor stocks, doubts about the profitability of AI investments, and fears of oil supply disruptions were among the factors affecting the stock market.

Stock prices are not determined by corporate performance alone. They also reflect expectations and anxieties about the future, international affairs, and the psychology of investors.

Following these figures every day reminds me that the economy is not just about companies. It is a place where world events and human psychology intersect.

2. There Are Reasons Behind the Prices of Gold and Food

The newspaper also listed prices for gold and platinum, meat, eggs, vegetables, and fruit at wholesale markets.

When looking at gold prices, it is important to distinguish between the price per gram and the price of an individual gold coin. Gold coins come in different weights, so their prices cannot be compared directly without considering how much gold each contains.

Eggs also come in different sizes, such as LL, L, M, MS, and others. When I lived in Shizuoka, MS-sized eggs were inexpensive, so I often bought them. However, prices and their relationships can change depending on the region and the time of year.

The prices of vegetables and fruit also vary according to their place of origin, quality, grade, and the weight of each box.

Looking at the figures from wholesale markets helps me understand that even the food we buy at ordinary shops is influenced by many factors, including supply and demand, production areas, and distribution.

3. One Share of SpaceX for Every Child

The article that made me think most deeply today was about American entrepreneur Elon Musk. According to the report, he announced that he would give one share of SpaceX to every child in the United States in 2027.

The article stated that there are approximately 72 million children under the age of 18 in the United States. Based on a share price of about 148 US dollars, the total value would amount to approximately 10.5 billion dollars, or around 1.66 trillion yen.

It is an enormous sum of money.

Yet as I read the article, several questions came to mind.

Why give exactly one share to every child?

Some children come from wealthy families, while others live in households struggling to afford food or education. Giving everyone the same number of shares is equal in terms of quantity. But does that necessarily make it fair?

Treating everyone equally and giving more support to those who need it most are two different things.

Another question is why give shares instead of cash.

Unlike cash, shares can rise or fall in value. They must be managed, and some people may not understand how stock ownership works. If the recipients are minors, arrangements for parental involvement and account management may also be necessary.

What should a child do after receiving a share? Keep it or sell it? And how would the company actually distribute shares to 72 million children?

Announcing a plan and carrying it out are two different matters. The article also noted that the specific distribution method had not been made clear and that it remained uncertain whether the plan would actually be implemented.

4. What Should the Wealthy Give Back to Society?

I do not want to criticize wealthy people simply for making donations. Using one’s wealth for the benefit of society can be meaningful.

However, announcing a huge donation does not automatically make society better.

We need to consider who receives it, what they receive, how it is delivered, whether it genuinely helps them, and whether the arrangement can be sustained.

Giving one share to everyone may reflect the idea of providing equal opportunities. But the same share means something different to a child from a wealthy family than to a child whose family struggles to meet its daily needs.

Looking only at the figures, this appears to be an extraordinary gift worth approximately 1.66 trillion yen. Yet the size of a gift does not necessarily correspond to the level of need or the actual impact of the support.

What should people with great wealth give back to society? Is it fair to give everyone the same thing, or is it fairer to provide more to those who need it most?

There is no easy answer.

5. Today Is the Day for Two Vaccinations

While following economic figures and thinking about the announcement by a billionaire living far away in the United States, I also have something important to do for my own health today.

Today, I am scheduled to receive two vaccinations: one against COVID-19 and the other against influenza.

Around the world, trillions of yen move through financial markets, stock prices rise and fall, and people debate the future of businesses. Yet what matters in our everyday lives is protecting our health, eating well, and being able to live with peace of mind.

No matter how much wealth someone possesses, money alone cannot guarantee perfect health or peace of mind.

I hope both vaccinations go smoothly today.

Reading the economic pages of a newspaper is not just about learning what is happening in distant parts of the world. It is also about looking beyond the numbers to consider people’s lives and what fairness really means.

Once again, today’s newspaper has left me with a question to think about.

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