Posted on 05/15/2022 9:07:12 PM PDT by anthropocene_x
Vast regions of Japan’s digital universe are stuck in the early aughts. Online banking, airline booking, major newspapers, you name it: Services that have been streamlined by the digital revolution in much of the world are, in Japan, still plagued by convoluted drop-down menus that lead to dead ends, and detailed forms that need to be printed, filled out by pen, and even returned by fax. In a country that justifiably prides itself on excellent customer service, something happens when it comes to relaying information through a user interface displayed on a flat screen.
Japan’s high-quality, mostly physical public infrastructure has actually long disguised its sclerotic digital systems. The juxtaposition is jarring between the country’s clunky digital interfaces and its unrivaled engineering prowess — trains that depart on the minute, escalators and elevators that rarely break down, and heated toilets that will hide your sounds, clean your nether parts and sometimes talk, even sing to you.
By any metric today, Japan’s digital performance is dismal. Among the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries, Japan is now ranked 27th in digital competitiveness and 22nd in digital talent by the International Institute for Management Development — embarrassingly low for the world’s third-largest economy. A recent McKinsey & Company study revealed that two decades after the government launched its first digital initiative, “e-government,” only 7.5% of its procedures can be completed online. IT and software engineering degrees are less prestigious than those in economics or management, and batches of developer talent are hired from overseas.
(Excerpt) Read more at restofworld.org ...
Japanese work culture = very long hours, no vacation, no questioning authority. Beautiful country, very nice people, but all work and no play is not a winning strategy.
“heated toilets that will hide your sounds, clean your nether parts and sometimes talk, even sing to you”
I would trade the Facebook for one of those cool toilets.
The Japanese birth rate dropped, due to its emphasis on work to rebuild the country and then their social safety net made it too expensive to have children.
From what I understand, from people who understand Japan. It isn’t so much that they do as much work at the office that should be done in their workday. There is a lot of time at the office simply being wasted, because they have to impress the boss by being there all the time. They don’t necessarily do more work than the average American office worker.
I just translated a presentation about an EV that holds 4 people, is powered by cassette batteries, and floats in water during floods.
The problem is Japanese make new things, but never really make anything new.
Was Japan ever innovative? I thought they just improved on what we invented.
“The Rise of Single Women in Japan”
They made the mistake and following the West in ‘empowering’ women. Absolutely kills the birth rate, as many women choose to ‘marry their career’ or at most have one ‘trophy child’. Very sad, but all of the West is in the same boat.
You can add them on to a US toilet if there’s an outlet nearby. I’m a fan.
Here’s one from Costco for $300.
https://www.costco.com/brondell-swash-cl950-bidet-toilet-seat.product.100411463.html
I think I got a Moen branded one in-store on sale for about $250.
I have a Japanese made digital clock, it is 38 years old. I started noticing other electronics we purchased that have lasted were Japanese made. We should say goodbye to Chinese crap
Corporate Japan's pension obligations hit all-time high asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Corporate-Japan-s-pension-obligations-hit-all-time-high asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Corporate-Japan-s-pension-obligations-hit-all-time-high
Once it's not worth it, they move on, exposing the false tiger.
Japanese products have great core technology but where they lack is the “user experience” (UX) and the human/machine interface. It’s a common theme running through a lot of Japanese designed products..whether it’s a website, cameras, consumer electronics or anything — the user interface ranges from poor to horrible. The Japanese don’t think it’s worth putting in time, effort and money to improving the user experience.
Everything everyone has said, and their QE for decades might be part of the answer too.
On the other hand, given how China and others are using new tech, being behind the times doesn’t sound that bad.
Don’t discount the effect of internet porn. No self respecting woman with a halfway decent career is going to want to marry a man with hinky porn fetishes.
Good luck finding men who want to be subservient.
Sadly, Michaelsoft Binbows was shut down.
“The Japanese birth rate dropped”
“Japan uses more Depends than Pampers” is a saying in Japan.
Porn is a habit by men who lack validation.
Like all Western societies, men have become the throwaway gender. Consequently, men have sought validation outside relationships.
Rapidly aging demographic profile. You don’t change payment systems, etc. , on old people. Familiarity is their friend.
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