In the global mind, Japan is considered synonymous with innovation, efficiency and futurity.
However, as the years pass, a paradox emerges, revealing a nation faced with a contradiction between its glorious past and its clouded future, making it difficult for it to adapt to changing conditions.
We've used ChatGPT to bring you some examples of this based on the insights of the BBC's Tokyo correspondent, Rupert Wingfield-Hayes.
A housing market similar to depreciated assets
Real estate is considered in most of the world to be one of the most promising investments, because its value always increases. However, in Japan the trend is the opposite: houses are like cars - from the moment they are purchased, their value only goes down, and those who want to sell a property will not be able to do so if they are not ready suffer a loss compared to the price he paid for it. This example illustrates how Japan, once the third largest economy in the world, with an average salary higher than its US counterpart, fell into a slowdown due to resistance to change and outdated norms.
The economic boom after World War II turned Japan into a global manufacturing powerhouse.
The bursting of the economic bubble in 1991 left a lasting impact on the country's financial landscape.
The demographic threat
Japan is defined as the oldest country in the world (although the Principality of Monaco is even 'older') - according to CIA data from 2020, the median age there is 48.6, a third of its citizens are over 60, and its birth rate is 1.3 children per woman - one of the lowest in the world .
This leads to the fact that there are not enough working young people to finance pensions for adults - but despite this, the state is adamantly opposed to immigration, thus causing itself economic damage and putting its future relevance in doubt.
Elitist Politics
Japan's political landscape plays a central role in shaping its course.
The dominance of the elite-dominated Liberal Democratic Party has lasted for decades.
A rigid power structure, rooted in the nation's history and nationalism, often hinders its progress.
As the world enters an era dominated by artificial intelligence and technological advancement, Japan is at a crossroads.
The choice between embracing change and deteriorating into irrelevance is not easy.
The need for innovation is evident, but the Japanese are afraid of losing their uniqueness, which allowed them to rise from the ashes of World War II and build within a few years one of the most prosperous countries in history.
Japan's elections, and their results, will serve as an example for other countries as well.
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