[Crispy]

Well, buying things helps create a strong economy...

[cstaylor]

Well, buying things helps create a strong economy...

C'mon, guys, econ 101. Japanese shopping heavily tilts towards luxury items. These items (minus the heavy import taxes), don't benefit Japanese manufacturing firms (because the items are imported from other countries), and they aren't basic necessities, so the economy of scale has no benefit for Japanese workers.

The movement of cash benefits an economy when the funds stay within local circulation, producing jobs and taxes at all levels. This is just mad cash exiting the country to the European nations that produce the goods.

I'm not sure why the writer chose to bitch about the lack of decent open space in Tokyo... he should rent a car and head out to Chiba... Tateyama is very nice, and there's plenty of open space to enjoy.

[kamome]

C'mon, guys, econ 101. Japanese shopping heavily tilts towards luxury items. These items (minus the heavy import taxes), don't benefit Japanese manufacturing firms (because the items are imported from other countries), and they aren't basic necessities, so the economy of scale has no benefit for Japanese workers.

Who cares? The economy has bigger, more structurally rooted problems than people buying luxury goods.

[cstaylor]

Who cares? The economy has bigger, more structurally rooted problems than people buying luxury goods.

Yeah, it's called working harder and not smarter.

[Harvey]

I loved that article.

I *hate* shopping, especially for worthless crap...

Okay, so I do own my fair share of 'necessary' electronics... heh... but I have to say that I'm an anti-fashion shopper...

I'm going to have to spread this article around!