Group 1 - The term "downstream society" reflects the shift in Japan from a perceived middle-class utopia to a reality where many feel trapped in a lower social class, echoing sentiments from the book "Downstream Society" by Miura Taro [4][25][58] - The concept of "one hundred million total middle class" was prevalent in Japan before the economic downturn, suggesting that the majority of the population lived similarly, with only a small percentage being either wealthy or poor [8][10][12] - The societal perception of class has evolved, with the "downstream class" now characterized by a lack of ambition and disengagement from mainstream society, contrasting sharply with the earlier ideal of the middle class [27][28][58] Group 2 - The narrative of Japanese children growing up in stable middle-class families has shifted, with many now facing economic uncertainty and a loss of hope for the future, leading to a decline in aspirations [30][41] - The impact of the economic stagnation has led to a cultural shift where young people are more inclined to pursue immediate gratification through consumerism rather than long-term goals [45][58] - The emergence of the "downstream class" is seen as a consequence of broader societal changes, including educational policies and economic conditions, rather than merely individual failings [57][58]

Core Insights - The Dragon Boat Festival box office is expected to decline significantly, with the industry showing signs of extreme caution and a tendency to abandon the festival altogether [1][2][7] - The remarkable box office performance during the 2025 Spring Festival has been overshadowed by subsequent declines, with the cumulative box office of 271 billion already surpassing that of 2018 [1][2] - Historical data indicates that the Dragon Boat Festival has never been a top-tier box office period, often performing similarly to other minor holidays [3][4] Box Office Performance - The 2025 Dragon Boat Festival is projected to face a challenging market, especially after the previous years saw significant drops of over 50% in box office revenue during the Qingming and May Day holidays [2][3] - The 2023 Dragon Boat Festival saw a resurgence with the release of "The Missing Her," which set new box office records, while 2024 experienced a drastic decline to over 3 billion [3][4] Market Dynamics - The current market environment is characterized by a lack of strong domestic films, leading to a reliance on imported films to fill the Dragon Boat Festival schedule [7][20] - The presence of major Hollywood films like "Mission: Impossible 8" is expected to provide some stability, but overall, the festival still faces downward pressure [4][12] Audience Trends - The average age of moviegoers is increasing, indicating a shift in entertainment preferences among younger audiences, which may lead to decreased interest in smaller film releases during the Dragon Boat Festival [6][7] - The competition for audience attention is fierce, with animated films like "Doraemon" and "Time Traveler" vying for market share, but facing challenges against established franchises [14][16] Film Lineup - The current film lineup for the Dragon Boat Festival is heavily skewed towards imported films, with domestic offerings lacking the potential to drive significant box office revenue [7][20] - The pre-sale data shows that "Mission: Impossible 8" leads with 910 million in pre-sales, while domestic films like "Time Traveler" and "Private Detective" are struggling to gain traction [10][12][20]