悬崖之上的日本：M型社会大困局

Economic Overview - The Japanese government has approved a comprehensive economic stimulus plan amounting to 21.3 trillion yen, marking the largest economic intervention since the pandemic [1] - Despite this stimulus, Japan's real GDP is projected to decline at an annual rate of 1.8% in Q3 2025, indicating a return to negative growth since Q1 2024 [1] - Inflation in Japan has exceeded the central bank's 2% target for 43 consecutive months, while real wages have been declining for over two years, leading to a decrease in purchasing power [1][3] Structural Changes - The traditional "one hundred million middle class" structure in Japan is collapsing, giving way to a polarized society characterized by wealth disparity [1][4] - The increase in non-regular employment, widening income gaps, and the collapse of seniority-based wage systems are key factors contributing to the emergence of an "M-shaped society" [6][7] - By 2002, a significant portion of the population had shifted towards lower income brackets, with 80% of the population earning below 6 million yen annually [7] Societal Implications - The collapse of the seniority wage system has altered individual career expectations, making long-term financial planning difficult for families [8] - The phenomenon of "working poor" is prevalent, where employed individuals struggle financially, leading to intergenerational poverty [8] - The declining birth rate is exacerbated by the economic situation, with 2023 witnessing a record low of 758,600 newborns [7] Government Responsibility - The government is criticized for its failure to recognize the long-term recession and for implementing ineffective economic policies, resulting in a debt burden of 1,000 trillion yen [11] - Current fiscal policies are constrained, with the OECD downgrading Japan's GDP growth forecast for 2025 from 1.1% to 0.7% [12] Corporate Strategies - Companies must adapt their market strategies to cater to the expanding low-income demographic, as the middle class continues to shrink [15] - Successful examples include Uniqlo, which shifted focus from the middle class to serve the growing low-income segment, achieving sales of 300 billion yen [15] - Traditional retailers that maintain a middle-class focus are experiencing declining performance [16] Individual Adaptation - Individuals are encouraged to abandon the illusion of middle-class stability and to rethink their life strategies based on current economic realities [17] - Education is highlighted as a crucial pathway to breaking the cycle of the M-shaped society, with a focus on aligning educational choices with financial capabilities [18] - The labor market is experiencing a rare reversal, with a high employment rate of 98.1% for university graduates in 2024, reflecting a labor supply crisis [19][20]