Virgos Groove Posted August 19 Posted August 19 (edited) Japan were the Chappell Roan of the 80s. On the rise and coming to take over the world. Their reliable, dependable cars were a threat to (non-German) European and American vehicles. Brands like Toyota, Honda and Nissan became mainstays in Western markets, while companies like British Leyland and Chrysler suffered humiliating losses. They revolutionized the electronic consumer market with products like the VCR, the Walkman and video games. In the 80s and 90s, everyone had a Japanese product in their home, much like how Espresso is always sneaked into our Spotify playlists. Their impact, much like Brat's, was undeniable. Japanese companies even began buying American cultural institutions like Columbia Pictures and the Rockerfeller Center. They were pitched as a potential third superpower, sitting next to the US and the USSR, the Taylor and Beyoncé of their times. Some economists even predicted their economy would even surpass the US's. And then... it just didn't happen. Germany and China have surpassed it in GDP and the term Lost Decade (referring to the 90s) has been adapted to Lost Decades to refer to the last three decades. What went wrong? Did the US sabotage her with the Plaza Accords like Gaga and Perez did with Xtina? Did she, like Nicole Scherzinger, just not have it? Will she pull a Cher a make a late-stage comeback? Discuss. Edited August 19 by Virgos Groove 7
Popular Post Smarticle Posted August 19 Popular Post Posted August 19 2 minutes ago, Bussea said: It's been downhill ever since looking like your nipples - i blame the work culture and conservative leaning culture 24 2
Popular Post Bussea Posted August 19 Popular Post Posted August 19 1 minute ago, Smarticle said: looking like your nipples - i blame the work culture and conservative leaning culture Reported. 1 24
shookspeare Posted August 19 Posted August 19 aging population and weirdly conservative in a way that prevents them from innovating 4 2
Sheep Posted August 19 Posted August 19 (edited) Late stage capitalism happened. With no access to any form of imperialism like western powers currently do, they pushed against the limits of production and couldn't continue endlessly growing. Their world famous demographic issues and stagnant gdp are a sneak preview for what's going to happen to every other developed nation eventually if nothing changes. Edited August 19 by Sheep 13 1 2
Virgos Groove Posted August 19 Author Posted August 19 1 minute ago, shookspeare said: aging population and weirdly conservative in a way that prevents them from innovating Yeah, it's interesting that the Western stereotype of Japan is some ultrafuturistic utopia while in reality Japanese companies still use fax machines. 3
Virgos Groove Posted August 19 Author Posted August 19 (edited) 10 minutes ago, Sheep said: Late stage capitalism happened. With no access to any form of imperialism like western powers currently do, they pushed against the limits of production and couldn't continue endlessly growing. Their world famous demographic issues and stagnant gdp are a sneak preview for what's going to happen to every other developed nation eventually if nothing changes. This is such a great point, but I'm curious: why does leftism seem to be almost non-existent in Japan nowadays? I always assumed late-stage capitalism would inevitably lead to a rise of demand for leftist politics, but that doesn't seem to be the case in Japan (that I know of at least, maybe someone from Japan can offer some insight). Edited August 19 by Virgos Groove 1
Breathe On Moi Posted August 19 Posted August 19 I love threads like these, a dying art, more threads like these please. OT: Toyota is kinda like the top selling vehicle in the world tbh, and they kinda kept slaying with Nintendo. Japan is an iconic mother, a Kylie Minogue you can say, etc. 4 3 6 1
JO1s Posted August 19 Posted August 19 7 minutes ago, New Edition said: Johnny's and AKB Thank you JO1 and ME:I for ending those talentless fads OT: Declining birth rates, more people are in the retirment age than working. Same thing is about to happen in China.
com_plaining Posted August 19 Posted August 19 23 minutes ago, Bussea said: It's been downhill ever since The new version is kinda cuntier so idk about that. 1 2
Comedor Posted August 19 Posted August 19 They tend to block themselves from other people and cultures. Even to this day it's hard up find some JP music and MVs in streaming platforms like YT and Spotify. Meanwhile SK is exporting movies, series and music left and right. 12
JO1s Posted August 19 Posted August 19 Just now, Comedor said: Even to this day it's hard up find some JP music and MVs in streaming platforms like YT and Spotify. It's just namie, because she deleted everything. 4
Bosque Posted August 19 Posted August 19 Complacency, too much bureaucracy, lack of impetus and new ideas, aging and declining population. Same factors that are starting to hurt China today after it was predicted to overtake the USA in GDP 2
Suilen Posted August 19 Posted August 19 They refuse to embrace immigrants to offset the issues caused by their demographic situation, and even 'model' immigrants aka white cis men are subject to xenophobia, plenty of stories out there. Their gender equality also tends to be more declarative than anything, and I wouldn't put it past LDP to restrict women's rights as a response to the demographic situation at some point instead of addressing the underlying causes like work culture, misogyny etc. 7 1
Sheep Posted August 19 Posted August 19 4 minutes ago, Virgos Groove said: This is such a great point, but I'm curious: why does leftism seem to be - at least to an outsider's perspective - almost non-existent in Japan nowadays? I always assumed late-stage capitalism would inevitably lead to a rise of demand for leftist politics, but that doesn't seem to be the case in Japan (that I know of at least, maybe someone from Japan can offer some insight). My guess(which I am totally pulling out of my ass here) is that there are too many positive incentives to the current course. Their quality of life is actually fantastic and very highly ranking and wealth inequality isn't as awful as it is in other developed nations. The working class has more(spending power, not actual wage) and the ruling class is both making less and paying far more in taxes, compared to somebody like the US. Their unique culture has kept the worst day-to-day effects of late stage capitalism at bay. An average Japanese wage earner makes plenty of money relative to cost of living, works an ever-declining number of hours each week, and(for now) has a secure and stable retirement ahead of them. People don't usually start calling each other comrade until the scales tip too far away from a sustainable lifestyle. Totally a guess based off of some larger economic trends though, wealth inequality is becoming a worse issue and a huge class of impoverished elderly people is on the immediate horizon as the lost decade's workers reach retirement age, so it's not impossible things will get bad fast. Like any economic system, capitalism has flaws but they can be managed and mitigated if society cooperates and they've done an unusually great job as a nation at that. 5
Bussea Posted August 19 Posted August 19 34 minutes ago, com_plaining said: The new version is kinda cuntier so idk about that. ***** is out. brat is in they need to get with the times 11
Archetype Posted August 19 Posted August 19 Bureaucracy, a sort of age elitism, hatred of immigration, etc I forget what the percentage is, but an overwhelming majority of mid to senior level positions in Japanese companies are held by people over 50 years of age. New ideas and better ways of working cannot one to fruition when all decisions are being made by people who still use fax machines. I think Japan was still using floppy disks up until last year or even this year. The Japanese government also makes it very financially and legally difficult to start your own company and take out business loans, which is a huge reason why Japanese innovation in technology is purely limited established large companies in industries with immense government investment and oversight (medical, auto). Wage growth has stagnated with the economy while other major economies continued to rise dramatically. Lack of social upward mobility is also a factor, as favoritism is very much a thing in business and hiring practices. Work culture is still, and let's be honest here, bad when compared to expectations at western companies. Despite the stagnation in their economy and wages, the overall cost of living is reasonable. Things like rent, the cost of food, healthcare, etc are all still considered within reach for the middle class. 6
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