日本中年返贫史

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the economic struggles faced by Japan's 60s generation, highlighting their transition from being the "luckiest generation" to experiencing significant debt and unemployment issues during their middle age [2][3]. Debt Crisis of the 60s Generation - The 60s generation faced severe debt issues, with average household debt reaching nearly 20 million yen, the highest among all generations at the time [3]. - This debt crisis was largely due to their home purchases coinciding with the peak of the real estate bubble in the 1980s, where land prices surged over 150% [3][4]. - By 1995, over half of the 60s generation households owned homes, but the anticipated rebound in property values never materialized, leading to a 20-year decline in housing prices [5][4]. Employment and Income Challenges - Following the bubble burst, companies struggled with high labor costs, leading to a significant drop in employee salaries starting in 1995, with disposable income for the 60s generation decreasing by nearly 25% [8][9]. - The unemployment rate for middle-aged individuals rose from 1.5% to 3% between the early 1990s and 1998, with many older workers losing their jobs and facing difficulties re-entering the workforce [9][10]. Credit Loan Crisis - The rise of unsecured credit loans became prevalent, with the market growing from 4.5 trillion yen in 1994 to over 10 trillion yen by 2000, primarily used to service existing debts [10][11]. - High-interest rates on these loans, often exceeding 30%, led many families into a cycle of debt, exacerbated by aggressive collection practices [11]. Family and Social Dynamics - The 60s generation also faced a significant increase in divorce rates, with over 2.77 million families divorcing in the decade following 1995, largely due to economic pressures and changing family roles [13][14]. - The traditional family structure, where the husband was the sole breadwinner, became unsustainable, leading to increased tensions and breakdowns in family relationships [14]. Long-term Consequences - By 2022, the average debt for the 60s generation remained around 6 million yen, double that of the previous generation, indicating a lasting impact of the economic turmoil [20]. - The societal perception of this generation shifted from being the "warm spring generation" to the "bubble generation," reflecting their once prosperous lives that turned into prolonged hardship [20].