Job Discussion Forums

[Black_Beer_Man]

We seem to hear a lot in the media how Japan has been stuck in a 25 year recession, so the economy's so bad. And that the interest payments on Japan's national debt is equal to its GDP.

After hearing this, one feels that this country is ready to collapse economically.

That said, I see Japanese people splashing out money on hybrid cars, taxi rides that are 720 yen to start, and expensive European designer goods. The sales of luxury cookies and sweets on the food floors of Japan's major department stores are still brisk. A poster in Yokohama station proudly announces that there's a new HERMES (designer French boutique) opening soon in the station's mall.

And the lesson fees at the language school I work at are much higher than any amount people in North America would pay for French, Spanish or Chinese lessons.

So, the media would have you believe than Japan's economy is barely breathing, but what I see day to day with my own eyes is quite different.


Your thoughts?

[mitsui]

There is a huge gap between Tokyo and rural areas.
A lot of hidden poverty. You don't see people beg, but in Osaka so many people are on welfare.
A lot of elderly have fixed pensions and cannot spend so much.

Almost 40% of people work on either part-time or temporary contracts.

People come to Tokyo to make money but not everyone does well.

[kzjohn]

[Black_Beer_Man]