This is poverty? "Mr. Kimura" earns ¥5.5 million a year. But he used to earn ¥6.5 million. Then came the 2008 "Lehman Shock." The economy, shaky to begin with, buckled. Salaries were cut, bonuses pared. Kimura's housing loan, arranged pre-Lehman, absorbs ¥170,000 a month. His two kids are in private schools.
What to do? Learn the ways of poverty in order not to sink into it. Instant-noodle lunches. No drinking, or at least less. Moonlighting.
Really? Moonlighting? Yes, several nights a week and all day Saturday, at part-time jobs for ¥1,000 an hour. Weekdays he gets 2-3 hours' sleep a night. "I just hope my health holds out," he sighs, "till the kids are grown."
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.