Core Viewpoint - The current economic situation is increasingly resembling Japan's "lost 30 years," characterized by low interest rates, low inflation, and low growth, leading to potential asset depreciation and wealth loss for the middle class [1][4]. Group 1: Economic Cycles and Historical Context - Industrialized nations typically experience high growth followed by periods of recession, with wealth redistribution often resulting in middle-class decline [1][2]. - Historical examples include the U.S. post-Great Depression, the U.K. during the 1970s stagflation, and Japan's asset bubble burst in the early 1990s, all leading to significant middle-class hardships [1][2][3]. Group 2: Mechanisms of Economic Decline - High growth periods lead to overproduction and overinvestment, fueled by easy money, which eventually results in economic adjustments and industry corrections [2][3]. - The middle class is particularly vulnerable during these transitions, facing stagnant incomes and declining asset values while still carrying debt [3][4]. Group 3: Wealth Disparity and Investment Strategies - The current low-growth environment exacerbates wealth inequality, as many individuals are either in debt or chasing high-risk investments without stable returns [4][5]. - Successful individuals during Japan's "lost 30 years" managed to increase their wealth through investments in stable, high-dividend stocks, which outperformed the market and inflation [4][5]. Group 4: Recommendations for Wealth Preservation - To navigate the impending wealth divide, individuals should focus on saving and investing in stable assets that can provide consistent returns, similar to Japan's high-yield stocks [5].

Core Viewpoint - The current economic situation is increasingly resembling Japan's "lost 30 years," characterized by low interest rates, low inflation, and low growth, leading to potential asset depreciation and wealth loss for the middle class [1][4]. Group 1: Economic Cycles and Historical Context - Industrialized nations typically experience high growth followed by periods of recession, with wealth redistribution often resulting in middle-class impoverishment [1][2]. - Historical examples include the U.S. post-Great Depression, the U.K. during the 1970s stagflation, and Japan's economic bubble burst in the early 1990s, all of which saw significant middle-class challenges [1][2]. Group 2: Mechanisms of Economic Decline - High growth periods lead to overproduction and overinvestment, fueled by easy money, which eventually results in economic adjustments and industry corrections [2][3]. - The middle class is particularly vulnerable during these transitions, facing stagnant incomes and declining asset values while still carrying debt [3]. Group 3: Wealth Disparity and Investment Strategies - The current low-growth environment exacerbates wealth inequality, as many individuals are either in debt or losing money on risky investments [4]. - However, certain stable industries and high-dividend stocks can provide consistent returns, even in adverse economic conditions, as evidenced by Japan's high-yield stocks during its "lost 30 years" [4][5]. Group 4: Recommendations for the Middle Class - To navigate the impending wealth divide, individuals should focus on preserving wealth rather than engaging in reckless spending or investment [5]. - It is advised to allocate funds into stable, income-generating assets, similar to Japan's high-yield stocks, to ensure financial security in the coming years [5].

Core Insights - The article presents the weekly ranking of outstanding works in the "作·嗅之星" list, highlighting the top articles from May 16 to May 22, 2025 [1][3] Ranking Summary - TOP 1: "Xiaomi's 'Pure Public Relations Disaster'" by Che Nian Ji [4] - TOP 2: "Why Buffett Almost Never Invests in A-shares but Continues to Increase Holdings in Japan" by Ren Shen Gong Fen [5] - TOP 3: "The Last Batch of 'Restaurant Kings' is Being Abandoned by the Times" by Hong Can Wang [6] - TOP 4: "How Middle-Class Moms' Travel Money is Being Siphoned Off" by Lv Jie [7] - TOP 5: "Chinese Takeout, All Losers" by Nan Qi Dao [3] - TOP 6: "How Japan Avoided Middle-Class Poverty in the 'Lost Thirty Years'" by Qing Nian Zhi Youthology [3] - TOP 7: "Do You Hope China Will Develop to the Level of Europe in Twenty Years?" by Ning Nan Shan [3] - TOP 8: "After AI, I Decisively Uninstalled Duolingo, Which Controls 500 Million People" by APPSO [3] Selection Criteria - The selected works are based on various dimensions such as article quality and popularity. Readers can also support their favorite works and authors through reading, sharing, and interaction [9]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses how Japan managed to avoid a significant decline in the middle class during its "lost three decades" despite economic stagnation and rising inequality, providing insights for other societies facing similar challenges [1][2]. Economic Context - Japan's average annual income decreased from approximately 4.63 million yen in 1990 to 4.33 million yen in 2018, indicating stagnation in nominal wages and a decline in real income due to inflation [1][3]. - The relative poverty rate rose from about 10% in the 1980s to 16% in 2012, ranking Japan second among G7 countries in terms of income inequality [3][4]. Consumption Patterns - The Engel coefficient, which measures the proportion of food expenditure in total consumption, increased from around 20% in the late 1980s to 26.6% in 2022, reflecting a decline in disposable income and a shift towards essential spending [3][4]. - The perception of being middle class in Japan remained relatively stable, with self-identification as middle class only slightly declining from 90% in 1990 to 89% in 2024 [4][5]. Social Stability - Despite economic challenges, Japan maintained a stable social structure, with the net Gini coefficient remaining around 0.38 over 30 years due to effective social redistribution mechanisms [7][8]. - Social security spending accounted for 25.12% of GDP in 2023, supporting a comprehensive welfare system that includes various insurance programs and cash subsidies [8][9]. Consumer Behavior - The rise of affordable brands like Uniqlo and Muji during Japan's economic downturn exemplifies "defensive consumption," allowing families to maintain a decent standard of living despite reduced spending power [11][12]. - Japanese companies focus on efficiency through management philosophies like Kaizen and Just-in-Time, which emphasize waste reduction and responsive production without compromising quality [12][13]. Cultural Factors - Japan's societal norms emphasize reputation and reliability, leading to a culture where businesses prioritize quality and service over merely competing on price [15][16]. - The concept of "cooperative fulfillment" reflects a societal commitment to maintaining standards and mutual respect, which has helped Japan navigate economic difficulties without severe social fragmentation [15][17].

Group 1 - The "Lost Thirty Years" in Japan refers to a period of economic stagnation following the bubble burst, characterized by stagnant nominal wages and declining real income [1][2] - The proportion of non-regular employment has increased significantly, with over half of women and more than 20% of men in non-regular jobs by 2020, leading to a perception among the younger generation that effort does not guarantee reward [1][2] - The relative poverty rate in Japan rose from about 10% in the 1980s to 16% in 2012, ranking second among G7 countries, indicating a shrinking middle class and increasing low-income households [2][3] Group 2 - The pension replacement rate in Japan has declined from approximately 68% in 1986 to 61.7% in 2019, indicating a growing challenge for the middle class as the aging population increases [3][4] - Despite economic challenges, the self-identified middle class in Japan has remained relatively stable, with a slight decrease from 90% to 89% from 1990 to 2024 [3][4] Group 3 - Japan's Gini coefficient increased from 0.43 in 1990 to 0.57 in 2021, indicating rising income inequality; however, the net Gini coefficient remained stable around 0.38 due to effective social redistribution mechanisms [6][7] - Japan's social security expenditure accounted for 25.12% of GDP in 2023, significantly higher than China's 7.7%, reflecting a strong commitment to social welfare [7][8] Group 4 - The rise of budget brands like Uniqlo and Muji during Japan's economic downturn illustrates a shift towards "defensive consumption," where consumers prioritize quality at lower prices [10][11] - The average monthly household expenditure on clothing decreased by 36% from 1990 to 2020, highlighting the impact of economic pressures on consumer behavior [11][12] Group 5 - Japan's business environment is characterized by a strong emphasis on reputation and contract fulfillment, which has fostered a culture of efficiency and quality despite economic challenges [12][14] - The concept of "cooperative fulfillment" in Japanese society emphasizes maintaining dignity and respect in transactions, which has helped sustain social stability during economic downturns [14][15] Group 6 - Comparatively, Japanese households had a more diversified asset portfolio in the 1990s, with 36% in equity assets, while Chinese households are heavily reliant on real estate, which poses greater risks in case of market downturns [17][18] - The high leverage in Chinese households, with housing loans at 33.9% of nominal GDP, suggests that any economic shock could have more severe consequences compared to Japan's historical context [17][18]