Japan is often said to be suffering from a serious labor shortage.
It’s true that the declining birthrate and aging population are a fact of life, but the truth is, there are many people who want to work.
Japan’s system is truly full of strange things.
Compared to other countries, Japan has long had a high rate of full-time housewives.
Japanese society has long held the mindset that men work outside the home and women stay at home.
However, the reality is that Japan’s economy has stagnated for over 30 years, and wages have remained at the lowest level among developed countries and have not increased for 30 years.
In fact, while wages have fallen, taxes have increased incredibly, making us Japanese people perhaps the highest in the world.
To survive in this economic climate, dual-income households are on the rise.
However, if one spouse’s salary exceeds the dependent limit, they must pay even higher taxes.
The annual income threshold is approximately $8,435.
This absurd system forces many people to limit their hours even if they want to work more.
Despite these facts, the media continues to report that Japan is suffering from a labor shortage, but the truth is completely different.
During the Edo period, there was a strict tax system called nengu.
Farmers were required to pay 50% of their harvest to the government.
Today, the system is even worse, with the government taking more than 60% of our income in taxes.
Japanese people are incredibly quiet and obedient, which is why the poverty rate is increasing so dramatically.
If people from other countries were treated this badly, I’m sure there would be riots, not just revolutions.
The media often reports that young people these days don’t travel or buy cars, but this is because they have no choice but to survive on low salaries and extremely high taxes.
Retired seniors are also in a very difficult situation.
The pension system has also been worsened, with many seniors receiving only $260 a month.
With prices so high, how can they survive on $260 a month?
As a result, many people in their 70s and even 80s are still working.
Are there any other countries like Japan that exist today?
Whenever I travel abroad and see elderly people there, many of them seem to be very peaceful and enjoying life.
I always feel that this is the complete opposite of the lifestyles and behavior of elderly people in Japan.
I have shared one aspect of the reality of Japan with the world.
