90年代日本房地产泡沫破裂：当年那些没买房的人，后来都怎么样？

Economic Context - The 1980s marked a critical turning point in the global economy, with the U.S. facing severe economic challenges such as rising fiscal deficits and trade imbalances, prompting the government to seek new economic strategies [4] - Japan, in contrast, experienced rapid economic growth, becoming the world's second-largest economy, leading to an overheated economy and a need for measures to control this growth [4][5] - The Plaza Accord of September 1985 was a significant moment, aiming to address global economic imbalances by promoting the depreciation of the dollar, particularly against the yen, which had implications for both U.S. and Japanese economic policies [5] Real Estate Boom - Following the Plaza Accord, the depreciation of the dollar and appreciation of the yen had positive short-term effects on both economies, with Japan's real estate market entering a phase of unprecedented prosperity [5][6] - Real estate became a high-return investment tool, with banks loosening lending policies and providing low-interest loans, leading to a surge in demand for real estate [6][7] - The real estate market in Japan saw extreme price increases, particularly in major cities like Tokyo, where property prices reached unprecedented levels [6] Bubble Burst - By 1992, the Japanese real estate market began to show signs of weakness, leading to a rapid decline in property prices as demand plummeted and unsold properties accumulated [8] - The bursting of the real estate bubble resulted in significant financial distress for many investors and homeowners, with many facing negative equity as property values fell below their mortgage amounts [9][11] - The economic impact was severe, with related industries such as construction, finance, and retail suffering greatly, leading to increased bankruptcies and rising unemployment [11][13] Societal Impact - The economic downturn led to widespread despair, with many families unable to cope with financial pressures, resulting in a tragic increase in suicide rates during this period [13][14] - The crisis prompted a societal reflection on economic practices and values, shifting perceptions of wealth and success, particularly regarding real estate as a symbol of status [16] - Interestingly, families that had previously been unable to afford housing found new opportunities as property prices fell, leading to a shift in the housing market dynamics [16]