Abstract

Having been involved in the management of a small factory and posting graphs of Japanese economic statistics on X (formerly Twitter) "daily" since 2020, I've come to understand the real reason why "Japanese wages aren't rising." This book is for everyone who thinks, "If it's not cheap, it won't sell, and people won't buy it."

What I offer in this book is a new interpretation of "low wages in inflationary Japan," derived from both factual economic statistics data and the concrete world I've experienced as both a worker and a manager.

Why is there such a tense and stagnant atmosphere in society despite working so hard?
Why do we not feel "richer" no matter how hard we work, and why, instead of being able to raise our standard of living, we end up having to cut back and save?
Because this is the opinion of someone directly involved, not a commentator, you're sure to find many perspectives that will be useful in your work and life.

If you understand the "mechanism" of the economy, your actions will change. Japan and you will both become richer.

- "Japanese people have low labor productivity" is actually the flip side of generous service.
- Our wages and GDP are linked. Why creating a "prosperous Japan" is the shortest path to "prosperous individuals"
- What is the unconscious "undervaluation of oneself" by the Japanese that has gradually impoverished Japan?
- Problems of the "bubble era" that you should know about now in the Reiwa era
- The Japanese who have lost the ability to properly estimate the value of "intangible things"
The "prosperous Japan cycle" that begins with small and medium-sized enterprises.

Author’s Information

Director of Ogawa Seisakusho Co., Ltd. Graduated from Keio University Faculty of Science and Technology in 2002 (receiving the Keio Prize), completed the Master's program at Keio University Graduate School of Science and Technology in 2004, and joined Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (now SUBARU Corporation) Aerospace Company, where he worked as an engineer on aircraft development. After training at a precision machining company specializing in 5-axis machining, he joined the family business (the current Ogawa Seisakusho Co., Ltd.) in 2012. Currently, as both a craftsman and manager, he is involved in three businesses: sheet metal fabrication, welding, and polishing for medical equipment, scientific and chemical equipment, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment; manufacturing and supply of precision machine parts; and machine design and development support. He is also actively disseminating information mainly through web media, and has been active as a NewsPicks Pro Picker since 2024. He has been posting daily graphs of Japanese economic statistics on X (@OgawaSeisakusho) since 2020.