What I'm Reading This Week (2025/02.09-02.15)

• By vski5 • 5 minutes read

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There were many stories this week, such as Argentine President Milei issuing coins to fleece investors, the crypto world slowly turning into a one-time ATM, and big players from traditional industries finally arriving here, taking the money and leaving without contributing to development.

What I Am Reading

Recently, I’ve been reading books that reflect on the survival of ordinary people after Japan’s economic recession:

What should ordinary people do during an economic downturn? Perhaps these books offer some valuable insights.

After reading some of them, I feel truly hopeless.

1. The No-Retirement Society (無退休社会 / 老後レス社会)

“The No-Retirement Society” is a book written by a group of 9 journalists aged between 30 and 50, deeply exploring the current state and impact of Japan’s no-retirement society. The authors present a comprehensive view of this social phenomenon through interviews with elderly people, young and middle-aged individuals, and consultations with experts in relevant fields.

The book is divided into six parts, analyzing various aspects of the no-retirement society from different angles:

  1. The prologue discusses the disappearance of “retirement life” and the “2040 problem”.
  2. Chapter One focuses on elderly security guards, analyzing the reasons and challenges for older people continuing to work.
  3. Chapter Two discusses the phenomenon of “fairy uncles in the company”, referring to elderly employees who don’t work.
  4. Chapter Three explores the employment difficulties faced by the younger generation.
  5. Chapter Four analyzes career transition decisions of middle-aged and elderly people through case studies.
  6. Chapter Five examines the motivations and impacts of elderly people working until their last moments.
  7. The final chapter provides a guide for surviving in a no-retirement society, including advice on delaying retirement, re-employment, and pensions.

The book’s strength lies in its multi-angle analysis, provision of real-life cases and expert opinions, while also discussing the impact of the pandemic on elderly employment and reflecting on changes in Japanese social structure.

2. The Era of Negative Assets (负动产时代 / 負動産時代：マイナス価格となる家と土地)

“The Era of Negative Assets” is an investigative work written by the Asahi Shimbun interview team, deeply exploring the current state of Japan’s real estate market. Through numerous real cases and first-hand information, the book reveals Japan’s transformation process from the “land myth” to the “abyss of negative assets”.

The main contents of the book include:

  1. Discussing the causes and impacts of Japan’s continuously rising housing vacancy rate.
  2. Analyzing problems in special real estate markets such as vacation apartments and long-term rental apartments.
  3. Discussing the impact of fixed asset tax and inheritance tax on the real estate market.
  4. Exploring possible solutions to the negative asset problem.
  5. Reflecting on the consequences of policy lag and neglect by relevant departments.

The book focuses on the following issues:

The book’s strength lies in its comprehensive presentation of the current situation and problems in Japan’s real estate market through numerous examples and data, providing readers with an opportunity to deeply understand Japan’s “negative asset” phenomenon.

3. Population and the Japanese Economy (人口与日本经济 / 人口と日本経済：長寿、イノベーション、経済成長)

“Population and the Japanese Economy” is a work by Hiroshi Yoshikawa, a master of Japanese macroeconomics, deeply exploring the relationship between population decline and economic development, particularly focusing on Japan’s low birth rate and aging population problem.

The main contents of the book include:

  1. Analyzing population issues from an economic perspective.
  2. Exploring the impact of population decline on the Japanese economy.
  3. Explaining how longevity can become a fruit of economic growth.
  4. Reflecting on the essence of the economy and its significance to society.

The book focuses on the following issues:

The author emphasizes that economic recession is not inevitable, and we can find new opportunities and hope in the changing population structure.

4. Insights from Post-Capitalist Japanese Economy (后资本主义日本经济启示 / ポスト資本主義)

“Insights from Post-Capitalist Japanese Economy” is a book that explores the current predicament of capitalism and future development directions. Author Yoshinori Hiroi analyzes the challenges faced by the global economic society from a macro perspective and proposes a vision for the “post-capitalist” era.

The main contents of the book include:

  1. Analyzing the historical development and core contradictions of capitalism
  2. Exploring whether technological progress (such as AI) can solve current economic difficulties
  3. Reflecting on globalization trends and seeking new development opportunities
  4. Discussing how to address social issues such as aging and inequality
  5. Proposing a social vision for the “post-capitalist” era

The book focuses on the following issues:

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