PSPINC CEO Kenichi Uchikura's Blog

 What is USAID.GOV?  

 

USAID (United States Agency for International Development) was a U.S. government agency that provided aid to developing countries. Its main roles included:

 

- Humanitarian Assistance - Emergency aid for regions affected by disasters and conflicts  
- Economic Development - Support for poverty reduction and job creation  
- Healthcare & Education - Improvements in public health and education support  
- Promotion of Democracy - Assistance in political stability and human rights protection  

 

Through these activities, USAID aimed to promote global stability and development.

 

 Annual Budget and Abolition  

 

USAID's annual budget for the 2023 fiscal year was approximately $40 billion (about ¥6.6 trillion). This massive budget was fully funded by taxpayer money, yet there were frequent concerns about unclear expenditures and misalignments with U.S. national interests. As a result, the agency was effectively abolished on February 7, 2025.

 

Following this decision, nearly all of the more than 10,000 employees were laid off, leaving only about 300 staff members to handle remaining administrative tasks. Additionally, the official USAID website (USAID.GOV) was shut down and is no longer accessible.

 

 Do Similar Tax-Funded Agencies Exist in Japan?  

 

Could there be similar tax-dependent organizations in Japan? If vast amounts of taxpayer money are being allocated to unnecessary agencies, a reform similar to that of USAID may also be needed in Japan. Wouldn’t cutting such wasteful expenditures be a welcome change for the public?

Here is the English translation of your blog entry:

 

 
Yesterday, I shared my story about being diagnosed with diabetes. Today, I’d like to talk about what happened next.

 

It had been quite some time since I was diagnosed with diabetes, and I believed I was managing it fairly well. However, one day while playing golf, I suddenly became short of breath. I felt dizzy and unsteady. At first, I thought maybe I hadn't eaten enough, but in reality, I was experiencing anemia.

 

Diabetes causing anemia? I had never heard of such a thing. I went to the hospital, but they couldn’t determine the cause. Eventually, they referred me to a nephrologist. That’s how I ended up visiting the BelleVue Kidney Center in Bellevue, where I met Dr. Phil King. He diagnosed my symptoms as early-stage anemia caused by kidney disease.

 

To manage the anemia, I started receiving injections of medication, similar to how I had been managing my diabetes. However, it was also at this point that I was told my kidney function was declining. From then on, I had to undergo monthly blood tests and kidney function assessments. By that time, my kidneys were probably functioning at less than 35% of their full capacity.

 

At one of my checkups, the doctor told me, “If this continues, you will eventually need dialysis.”

 

Seriously? That had never even crossed my mind. At that point, I didn’t fully understand what dialysis entailed. But one thing was clear—I didn’t want it. The idea of spending hours at the hospital for treatment was something I wanted to avoid at all costs.

 

So, I continued managing my condition by “tricking” my kidneys while relying on anemia medication. However, it goes without saying that I could no longer live as energetically as before. My kidney function gradually declined to the point where dialysis became inevitable.

 

Now, I’m beginning to accept the reality that I will eventually need dialysis.

I've been setting up a home office over the past few days by purchasing various items from Amazon to create a productive work environment, making up for the time I can't be in the office. Today, the setup is finally complete with the arrival of a 28-inch Samsung monitor.

 

Here’s a picture of my new setup. The biggest change is switching from using my MacBook Air M4's built-in display to this larger external monitor, which has made navigating menus and working much more convenient. Instead of the built-in keyboard, I’m now using an Apple Bluetooth keyboard and a Bluetooth mouse, making the overall experience much more comfortable.

 

I've also adjusted the monitor settings to display eye-friendly colors, allowing for long working hours without strain. Once everything is properly set up, it naturally boosts my motivation. While I won’t be going to the office, I plan to do as much work as possible from home.

As a result of the organ transplant, my previous medications are no longer needed, and I have to switch to new ones. I was already taking a lot of medication, but it looks like I will be taking even more from now on.

 

Since the surgery, my urine production has increased significantly, forcing me to go to the bathroom multiple times during the night. However, it's not just a simple process—I struggle to urinate, and it takes time and effort, which makes me feel like my strength is gradually being drained. Additionally, as of this morning, my weight has dropped by 5.352 kg compared to before the surgery. I haven’t been dieting, but my appetite has decreased, which might be the cause. However, if this continues, I might lose muscle mass as well, so I need to consciously ensure that I consume enough protein.

 

The road to recovery seems long, but I am determined to push through so that one day, I can look back and say, "I remember those tough times." Please support me as I work toward that day.

 

Also, ever since the surgery, I’ve had a sore throat and lost my voice. I was told that it’s due to the breathing tube inserted into my airway during the two surgeries. This has been quite tough as well, but I believe I will recover little by little.