March 2023 — A cargo ship is docked at an industrial pier surrounded by warehouses and factory buildings, their signs bearing familiar Japanese corporate logos. The port’s calm waters and moored vessels hint at the steady rhythm of maritime logistics, with goods flowing in and out of Japan’s manufacturing heartlands. Overhead, a muted sky and the ship’s red funnel add contrast to the subdued industrial palette, capturing a typical day in one of the nation’s bustling coastal trade zones.