home > Culture & Tips > Travel tips > Economy & Cost

Economy & Cost

It is no secret that Japan's economy has been in a slump for the last 15 years. The unemployment rate has hovered near 5 %, homeless ness is on the rise and visible in major encampments, like that in Ueno park, and a real upturn seems only vaguely in sight.

The problem started in 1989 when the Japanese stock market crashed .As the famed bubble economy continued to deflate. More corporations approached the brink of bankruptcy, prompting banks to extend loan that currently account for 150 billion yens in bat debts. This has resulted in deflation, increased public debts and a growing concern over how the government will manage to support the public pension fund that is expected to support a graying population.

In Tokyo the effects of this seems to be a mixed bag. Not surprisingly, as Japan's financial and cultural capital, it's been hit hard. In addition to the unemployment rate of more than 5 %, it's been estimated that 25 % of people under 30 are unable to find full-time employment. However, beyond these grim statistics, the city seems not only calm but also resilient. For the first time, people under 40 seem to be rejecting the stability of lifetime employment in favor of more compelling, often more flexible, jobs as independent contractors.

Tokyo, once known as an impossibly expensive city, has become a lot less expensive in the last 10 years. As a general rule, anything that requires a lot of space to create will cost a lot. Bowling alley, cinemas and most domestic produce fall into this category.

How mach in Japan?

Back to Travel tipBack to Travel tip

Links | About us | Privacy policy | Tour condition