Yen for Living

Recent posts

• For young women sex industry offers safety net the government doesn’t

  Young women with little education and no prospects for marriage face a dire job situation, except for one area.

• Consumption tax rush approaching peak time

  Many who want to avoid the higher consumption tax by buying now may not save as much money as they think.

• Regional bank hits on novel way to attract business

  Chiba resident wins big on year-end lottery thanks to local bank.

• When will they learn: Old folks still falling for swindlers

  Telephone swindlers are finding new, inventive ways to cheat old people.

• Special K: Mini-cars come of age in a maxi-world

  Japanese mini-cars are becoming the norm rather than the exception.

• Use it or lose it: Workers want companies to pay for paid vacations

  Getting workers in Japan to take paid holidays is difficult, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want them.

• Deflation Watch: New Year’s scorecard

  It seems likely that the consumption tax increase will derail the government’s economic boom train.