Next, talking of meltdowns, the problems in the international
banking sector is obviously hitting the Tokyo expat
community hard. Although there are no statistics, it is not
difficult to see evidence of the escalating departure of
foreigners as the recession (or is it already a depression?)
gathers pace. Restaurants serving expats are more than
half empty on Friday nights, Roppongi streets are less
crowded, and bars and entertainment establishments are
offering generous incentives to get people in.
Other evidence of the emptying of Tokyo's expats can be found
at the various foreign business and social clubs. Most
clubs have had unprecedented decreases in membership and
one particular major foreign social club is said to have
lost hundreds of members, about 2.5% of its membership, in
a single month at the end of 2008 alone.
http://mailman.japaninc.com/pipermail/terrie/2009/000101.html
