Please do not use the Mercator projection.

This is the store’s sign

DAY 425

This morning, I came across an intriguing piece of news. Togo, a country in West Africa, plans to submit a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly this September, calling for the discontinuation of the widely used Mercator projection maps and the adoption of the Equal Earth projection instead.

The Mercator projection has been used for a long time due to its convenience for navigation, but it has the characteristic of enlarging high-latitude regions when projecting the Earth’s surface onto a plane. As a result, the actual size of the African continent is not accurately represented, leading to a tendency for Africa to be undervalued. Togo’s proposal aims to correct this imbalance and promote a more accurate geographical understanding. It is reported that all 55 member countries of the African Union have already agreed with this policy.

We Japanese have also been familiar with maps since childhood. Maps are an essential tool for understanding the world, but we must not forget that the way they are drawn can significantly influence our perspectives and perceptions. For example, there is something called an “upside-down map.” This map is oriented with the southern hemisphere at the top, opposite to the usual orientation. By looking at such maps, we can view the world from a different perspective than usual, gaining new insights and understanding.

Maps are not just collections of information; they shape our worldview. Therefore, it is important to have various perspectives. Togo’s proposal serves as a good opportunity to remind us of the significance of how maps are drawn. We, too, are encouraged to maintain diverse perspectives without being bound by fixed notions.

I have decided to continue writing every day.

Daiichi Shoji Co., Ltd.

Head Office: 13–1 Toinonoshita, Hiromote, Akita City, 010–0041

Warehouse: 12–2 Toinonoshita, Hiromote, Akita City, 010–0041

Manager: Tadashi Kagabu

1976

• Company Established

2000

• Opened Store on Rakuten Market

2016

• Awarded Rakuten Shop of the Week

2023

• Awarded Rakuten Market Monthly Excellent Shop

An Online Shop Run by Japanese People