Japan was in the midst of a long economic decline known as the Lost Decade when I arrived in 2003. The Japanese people believed that this period of economic stagnation would be temporary, but it ended up lasting much longer than expected. Despite this, the full extent of the malaise was not immediately apparent to me.
I had come to Japan as part of an exchange program to teach English in rural Hiroshima. The decision to move to Japan was influenced by my exposure to Japanese culture since childhood, growing up in Ireland. Japan seemed like a good fit for me as a recent college graduate – it was a country known for its sophistication, technological advancements, and was far enough away from home to feel like an adventure.
The economic downturn had started back in 1989 when the Nikkei 225 Stock Average reached a historic high. Since then, Japan struggled to recover and the gloom persisted, much like the oppressive low-pressure front that hung over Tokyo when I first arrived in the bustling metropolis. The overall mood in the country was still bleak during my arrival, especially due to an unusually long rainy season.
As I settled into my new life in Japan, I realized that the economy was not as robust as I had initially thought. The country’s unemployment rate was high and businesses were struggling to stay afloat. However, despite these challenges, there were still signs of hope and resilience among the Japanese people. They continued working hard and investing in their future, hoping for better days ahead.
