Fine Print
Yesterday, on my way home from a pastor's meeting, I noticed an interesting sign on a 100-yen store (the J-version of a dollar store). The "100 Yen" part was in letters about 3 feet tall. Then came the tax disclaimer- items are actually 105 yen at the register.Then, at the very end was a tiny tack-on : 105 yen "and up".
Now-a-days, you have to look twice- some items are 200 or even 500 yen. Is that because shoppers are willing to pay more now, or because the economies of mainland Asia are on the rise, and items are costing retailers more than they did a few years ago when the 100 yen store craze started (and everything really WAS 100 yen)?
I sometimes wonder if the advent of these stores soon after Japan's disasterous return to economic reality (the bursting of the famous "Bubble" on the last day of 1989) was a shrewd retailer's move to provide consolation to shoppers. Even with the new financial austerity in place, people could still emerge from stores with full shopping bags! Since shopping is the main leisure activity of many people, 100 yen stores were a means to cushion the shock for both retailers and consumers. Now, 15 years later, they retain their popularity in an economy that perceives itself as struggling.
A couple of years ago, I translated for an international seminar for public welfare officals from a number of African countries. A Japanese social worker presented his paper on Aomori Prefecture's shocking rate of deaths at birth (3 in 1000). One of his African counterparts had to report a rate of 300+ per 1000. I leaned over and remarked to the Tanzananian woman beside me that Japanese feel they are in a recession. She just snorted. I guess that kind of recession looked pretty good to her.
So, is Japan in a recession or not?How much is "enough"?
Jesus said "Do not worry ,saying 'What shall we eat?'or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans (Latin for 'civilian', apparently, i.e. one who is not in 'the Lord's army') run after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33
It is difficult to keep one's perspective in the matter of material goods. How much IS enough? It's sometimes hard to remember that not everyone has a 100 yen or even a "105 yen and up" store at their disposal. God can provide us with a good set of principles for keeping our balance in life. They are free to receive, often costly to apply- and fill our hearts with joy rather than filling our shopping bags with junk.
Now-a-days, you have to look twice- some items are 200 or even 500 yen. Is that because shoppers are willing to pay more now, or because the economies of mainland Asia are on the rise, and items are costing retailers more than they did a few years ago when the 100 yen store craze started (and everything really WAS 100 yen)?
I sometimes wonder if the advent of these stores soon after Japan's disasterous return to economic reality (the bursting of the famous "Bubble" on the last day of 1989) was a shrewd retailer's move to provide consolation to shoppers. Even with the new financial austerity in place, people could still emerge from stores with full shopping bags! Since shopping is the main leisure activity of many people, 100 yen stores were a means to cushion the shock for both retailers and consumers. Now, 15 years later, they retain their popularity in an economy that perceives itself as struggling.
A couple of years ago, I translated for an international seminar for public welfare officals from a number of African countries. A Japanese social worker presented his paper on Aomori Prefecture's shocking rate of deaths at birth (3 in 1000). One of his African counterparts had to report a rate of 300+ per 1000. I leaned over and remarked to the Tanzananian woman beside me that Japanese feel they are in a recession. She just snorted. I guess that kind of recession looked pretty good to her.
So, is Japan in a recession or not?How much is "enough"?
Jesus said "Do not worry ,saying 'What shall we eat?'or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans (Latin for 'civilian', apparently, i.e. one who is not in 'the Lord's army') run after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33
It is difficult to keep one's perspective in the matter of material goods. How much IS enough? It's sometimes hard to remember that not everyone has a 100 yen or even a "105 yen and up" store at their disposal. God can provide us with a good set of principles for keeping our balance in life. They are free to receive, often costly to apply- and fill our hearts with joy rather than filling our shopping bags with junk.
posted by John Elliot | 5:49 PM
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