The other day, the president of a company to which I had been personally loaned a control device for a long period of time (more than three years) mailed me. The subject was,

"Could you please return the devices?"

I was a little surprised, since I have often offered to return them when inquiring about part numbers.

Later that day, I dismantled part of the Ebata family's system and returned all the devices I had borrowed.

Well, I'm not too worried as I still have a few devices left that I picked up at the junk shop.

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I are aware that the global shortage of semiconductors has caused delays in the production of various products. However, in light of the fact that even an individual like me is being asked to do this.

I realized that they were really in a critical situation.

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I was reminded that EE Times Japan, to which I am a regular contributor, is really an information site for the semiconductor industry.

I thought that if I released such a diary, Ms. M, who is in charge of my columns, might at least give me a hard time, if not beat me up.

But I thought, 'If I get scolded, I can write the next diary,' so I'm releasing this.