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A peek inside Japan's largest “Dagashi” store

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Re: A peek inside Japan's largest “Dagashi” store

#61

Post by kitsunesoba »

jaipilot747 wrote: post #2

> "Very few people know that I had to do that thing which no business owner should ever do – lay people off. And I've had to do it twice." The difference in how other countries view laying people off, contrasted with the US labor market is worth highlighting. I understand the arguments about how at-will employment brings flexibility and opportunity for both employers and employees but seeing a CEO feel actually respo…

I remember reading that some Japanese electronics company, I want to say it might’ve been Panasonic, kept the TV wing of their business going for many years after it ceased to be profitable because they didn’t want to displace all the employees working in it.

Japan has problems with work culture (off the books overtime, obligation to go drinking with coworkers, etc) but the increased corporate loyalty towards employees isn’t one of them.

Re: A peek inside Japan's largest “Dagashi” store

#62

Post by rippercushions »

ggm wrote: post #32

Retro lolly shops all over Australia mainly in tourism locations often selling nostalgia, lollies in jars alongside cheap euro/british imports.

Was quite surprised to visit one recently only to be greeted by a full shelf of Faygo Redpop. Juggalo nostalgia!

Re: A peek inside Japan's largest “Dagashi” store

#63

Post by wahnfrieden »

kizunajp wrote: post #52
modernpink wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I, and many economists, would argue that the price signal, profit and "serving society" are more tightly interwound than many like Hideyuki are mislead to believe.

Is there anything I can read to understand this better? Naively, I would think making a profit is not strictly necessary to serve society as long as the business makes as much money as it pays out?

Try Graeber/Wengrow

Re: A peek inside Japan's largest “Dagashi” store

#64

Post by karaokeyoga »

jfrej wrote: post #58
creamyhorror wrote: post #8

It's always bittersweet when I visit Japan and come across old establishments or traditions that an ageing proprietor or volunteers are trying to keep going. You can see the love and spirit they have for it, but it often looks like something too disconnected from the interests of young people and the vicissitudes of the changing economy to survive for much longer. A kissaten (old-style cafe) owner in Nagasaki who sha…

Related to this I recommend the instagram account of Lee Chapman [1]. For example this series documenting old bars and their owners [2] or this one about old shops that don't seem to sell anything [3]. (Instagram links used to be publicly accessible but looks like that's no longer the case. You can also see Lee's photos on his blog [4].) [1] https://www.instagram.com/tokyotimes_lee/ or https://twitter.com/tokyotimes…

Seconded.

Re: A peek inside Japan's largest “Dagashi” store

#65

Post by wahnfrieden »

okdood64 wrote: post #5

It's incredible how much high quality restaurant food, groceries and snacks like these that Japan has had for a relatively low price as compared to other wealthy nations. It was quite noticeable for me the last 2 times I went to Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka, as a visitor from the US, that food costs were pretty much never an issue. I guess the dollar being strong has something to do with that.

It’s risen / rising now

Re: A peek inside Japan's largest “Dagashi” store

#66

Post by creamyhorror »

Aethelwulf wrote: post #44
Tade0 wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would also assume that if something is called a "jazz bar", then there would be live jazz music there.

The previous poster was most likely referring to an establishment in the tradition of: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz_kissa

While you're right that it's usually jazz kissas, the Sasebo bar[1] I mentioned had instruments for live playing - sort of like a mini-studio. Apparently some patrons might play rock there sometimes. But yes, I assume it was mostly about listening to recorded music.

The owner said that young people were leaving Sasebo for bigger cities with more work, so that was draining the vitality of the area. A common story all over Japan, as you probably know.

I've also been to jazz clubs in Japan and those are cool, but clearly a dying breed given the ages of the audience and most of the musicians. At a matinee at the historic Shinjuku Pit Inn, I think I was among the youngest members of the audience. Similar story at smaller, more intimate spots. It's just a declining trend with long-time regulars and not much new blood.

[1] JAZZ SPOT EASEL: https://goo.gl/maps/4YCZSdbLbxEFce4S9

Re: A peek inside Japan's largest “Dagashi” store

#67

Post by tomcam »

kizunajp wrote: post #50
lmm wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Meh. Dagashi are... not great. (And frankly the same is true of jazz). You can get nicer stuff from any 7-eleven, consistently, and whether the staff member cares is (thankfully) not really relevant. Stores that sell something people actually want can and do thrive (by charging a premium if necessary), and that includes a lot of traditions that people value because they're traditional, but when it comes to something…

Tastes are obviously subjective, but for what it's worth it's not like 7-11 does not sell a subset of the same dagashi mentioned in the article. I did like the low-carb versions of things like chocolate cake they rolled out and in general they have a wonderful line of sweets: https://www-sej-co-jp.translate.goog/products/a/7premium/cat... Lawson and FamilyMart have great sweets too. Japanese convenience stores, to me…

I would love to read a long form piece about Japanese convenience stores.

Re: A peek inside Japan's largest “Dagashi” store

#68

Post by ehnto »

modernpink wrote: post #49
zelphirkalt wrote: post #31

> When asked about the future of the business, Hideyuki says he has no intention of doing business (in pursuit of profits) at all. He believes businesses exist to serve society and contribute back to people in the community. That they make profits are merely a side effect and that somewhere along the line the side effect became the main goal. If only more had his insight.

I, and many economists, would argue that the price signal, profit and "serving society" are more tightly interwound than many like Hideyuki are mislead to believe.

You and many economists should probably go to a community centre, or join a hobby group then. Some things don't exist not because they aren't needed, but because the community that needs them can't afford it.

As a general rule obviously I agree, but there are clear exceptions all around us.

Re: A peek inside Japan's largest “Dagashi” store

#69

Post by Ntrails »

kizunajp wrote: post #50
lmm wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Meh. Dagashi are... not great. (And frankly the same is true of jazz). You can get nicer stuff from any 7-eleven, consistently, and whether the staff member cares is (thankfully) not really relevant. Stores that sell something people actually want can and do thrive (by charging a premium if necessary), and that includes a lot of traditions that people value because they're traditional, but when it comes to something…

Tastes are obviously subjective, but for what it's worth it's not like 7-11 does not sell a subset of the same dagashi mentioned in the article. I did like the low-carb versions of things like chocolate cake they rolled out and in general they have a wonderful line of sweets: https://www-sej-co-jp.translate.goog/products/a/7premium/cat... Lawson and FamilyMart have great sweets too. Japanese convenience stores, to me…

Write it

Re: A peek inside Japan's largest “Dagashi” store

#70

Post by bombcar »

modernpink wrote: post #55
kizunajp wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is there anything I can read to understand this better? Naively, I would think making a profit is not strictly necessary to serve society as long as the business makes as much money as it pays out?

My favourite explanation comes from Hayek [1]. Profit is a signal for other economic actors to move into the market to provide more goods and services. If something is profitable it means people (society) sees value in it so it is right that we would want more of it to be produced. If we say no to profit, it means we extinguish a mechanism by which society can allocate resources. On top of this, it's impossible for r…

You have to combine it with the rent-seeking present in rental buildings; the rents will expand to drive out all but the most profitable businesses, which can be detrimental.
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