economy

Why doesn’t take-home pay increase even when news reports say “real wages are up”? The reasons lie in the fact that the formula for calculating real wages does not include “taxes” or “social insurance premiums,” as well as in “bracket creep” (a hidden tax increase). We’ll provide a thorough explanation of the structural reasons why take-home pay doesn’t increase and the steps individuals can take to protect themselves.

Capsule toys (gachagacha) have rapidly grown into a 100 billion yen market. Why are adults so obsessed with them right now? From the reasons behind their success and the background of the miniature boom to the “sales suspensions and shortages” caused by their overwhelming popularity, as well as the “gacha fatigue” trending on social media, we provide a thorough analysis of the latest developments and the future of this market.

The Bank of Japan has decided to raise its policy interest rate to 1.25%! We’ll provide an easy-to-understand explanation of the background and reasons behind this move—which marks the highest level in about 31 years, since 1995—as well as its impact on exchange rates and stock prices, and the direct effects on mortgage and deposit rates that many are concerned about. We’ll also take a look at the outlook for future rate hikes and strategies for protecting household finances.

Explaining the Reasons Behind the Accelerating “Shift Away from Convenience Stores” in Recent Years! We analyze four key factors: the perception that prices are too high due to inflation, the rise of drugstores, and the decline in reasons to visit stores driven by the shift to cashless payments. We also examine the industry’s future, including the latest strategies from 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson, as well as the future of 24-hour operations.

In August 2026, the number of corporate bankruptcies nationwide reached 827, exceeding 800 for the first time in 14 years. As the “three major risks”—rising prices, labor shortages, and rising interest rates—directly impact business operations, this article provides a thorough analysis from an expert perspective on the structural crisis facing the Japanese economy and offers four strategies for small and medium-sized enterprises to survive.

A thorough explanation of the reality of the “collapse of the middle class” unfolding in Japan, based on real-life changes in daily living. From rising prices and falling real wages to anxieties about housing, raising children, and retirement—why has it become so difficult to “live a normal life”? This book clearly unpacks the true nature of “stealth poverty” lurking right under our noses and outlines the practical steps individuals should take now to protect their livelihoods.

Will a 1% reduction in the consumption tax on groceries really help household budgets? While this measure is expected to result in an annual tax savings of approximately 42,000 yen, we provide a thorough analysis of how this benefit is being offset by a wave of price hikes and opportunistic price increases. We also discuss the risk of a tax hike two years from now and introduce steps you can take right now to protect your household budget.

The “wage gap” between large companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) widened further during the 2026 spring wage negotiations. With the overall average exceeding 5%, why are SMEs struggling with a lack of funds? We provide a thorough analysis of the “barrier to passing on labor costs,” which is the primary cause, and the limitations of “defensive wage increases” driven by labor shortages.

Who stands to benefit from the Bank of Japan’s 2024 policy rate hike to 1%? Based on a video by financial planner Masato, this article clearly explains the economic downsides of a “preemptive rate hike” when inflation is below 2%, as well as the structure that allows vested interests—such as banks—to profit.

Is Japan’s economy truly recovering? While GDP for the January–March 2026 quarter, released today, rose by 1.8%, personal consumption remains sluggish. We take an in-depth look at the risks lurking behind this “economic expansion that feels nonexistent”—driven by resurgent inflation due to escalating tensions in the Middle East and falling stock prices—and examine how these factors will impact our wallets and mortgages.