Japan has suffered a great deal, and will suffer a great deal more into the future. Beyond the initial horror of the tsunami and earthquake, and beyond the immediate concern of the nuclear power plant, Japan will struggle for some time to come.
Unfortunately, Japan’s economy is not ready for this level of disaster. Of the major economies in the world, Japan’s has been slowest to come out of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC); the nation struggles with a massive public debt level that is only eclipsed by the likes of Zimbabwe, and its manufacturing industry – vital to its economic health – has largely failed compete with the likes of China and South-East Asia.
And while everyone’s donations to Japan will help in the immediate term (and are most welcome), the country will need longer-term economic help from the rest of the world to get back on its feet.
My suggestion to everyone who reads this will be a win for both you, and Japan – buy more Japanese games and consoles.
The best way to stimulate Japanese recovery is to pump money into its economy. The best way to do this (as a foreigner) is to consume Japanese goods. Yes, you’ll likely be buying these games in your local country, but that money benefits the local subsidiaries of the Japanese companies, which in turn benefits the parent company back in its homeland.
Now, this strategy does come with some hang-ups – 1) do not buy second hand games. The only people second hand games support are the local retailers, and I can promise you that GAME or EB Games are not Japanese companies. 2) Try to buy the games at full price. While this is unpleasant, it’s that price point that sees the greatest benefit for the Japanese publisher and developer.
So yes, your pocketbook will be hit slightly in doing this, but if we all do this, the overall benefit will be significant – the Japanese games companies will recover quicker, and that recovery will then help stimulate other parts of the Japanese economy.
And then, if you’re feeling really generous – go and buy some Japanese beers (I personally recommend Sapporo). It might not be your favourite, but again you’ll be helping these people get back on their feet. Or any other goods you can think of. If you’ve got a laptop computer purchase on the cards, think about buying a Toshiba. If you’re looking at buying a car, how’s about a Toyota?
The world is united in shock at the recent events in Japan. Let’s keep that unity going and help Japan get back on its feet by helping its companies which employ its people and give us games that we all love.
but but japanese games are terrible…
also its not buying used thats the proble, its selling it back.
buying used subtracts 1 game from the shelf while selling adds one
but but japanese games are terrible…
also its not buying used thats the proble, its selling it back.
buying used subtracts 1 game from the shelf while selling adds one
i enjoy the japanese games, i buy them anyways
i enjoy the japanese games, i buy them anyways
Anonymous #1:
Buying games used is the problem in this instance – if you buy a used game, the $30 or whatever you've spent is split between the retailer and the gamer that traded it in (who was paid in advance by the retailer). The publisher wouldn't see a cent of that, which in turn means Japan's economy sees no benefit whatsoever.
Buying a new game sees the retsiler take its margin (typically 15-25%), some money go towards logistics and such, but most of the rest would end up in the bank sheets of the Japanese publisher – helping keep it a healthy company and in turn filtering money back into the Japanese economy.
Anonymous #1:
Buying games used is the problem in this instance – if you buy a used game, the $30 or whatever you've spent is split between the retailer and the gamer that traded it in (who was paid in advance by the retailer). The publisher wouldn't see a cent of that, which in turn means Japan's economy sees no benefit whatsoever.
Buying a new game sees the retsiler take its margin (typically 15-25%), some money go towards logistics and such, but most of the rest would end up in the bank sheets of the Japanese publisher – helping keep it a healthy company and in turn filtering money back into the Japanese economy.
not offence but this is total garbage and you sound nothing more of a weeabo!
Why the hell would buying Japanese games save Japan or contribute to it?! If we are to buy their games to save them, why did they stop/delay/cancelled their games and release date games?
Obviously they don't have time for games and want to focus on helping each other.
Also the money paid for the game would go to the publisher, retail and developers and publisher would use the money to cover the money spent on making the game. Why would the publisher use the purchased money to donate when they've already donated???? If they do that then they are pulling their company in danger by not making many money.
If you want to help save Japan, go to a proper legit charity company and donate money!
I hate it when people try to help someone but want something back…that is not helping but more of helping yourself get something out of you!
Such a retarded request.
So you want me to spend full £40 on a trash cliche JRPG that I will not enjoy so the money would help Japanese. Or buy a trash game with annoying voices I'll endured so the money could help Japan.
Sorry…best thing to do is DONATE money without getting anything back!
The only thing you'll get back is appreciation from Japanese people who think about you or people who helped donate.
not offence but this is total garbage and you sound nothing more of a weeabo!
Why the hell would buying Japanese games save Japan or contribute to it?! If we are to buy their games to save them, why did they stop/delay/cancelled their games and release date games?
Obviously they don't have time for games and want to focus on helping each other.
Also the money paid for the game would go to the publisher, retail and developers and publisher would use the money to cover the money spent on making the game. Why would the publisher use the purchased money to donate when they've already donated???? If they do that then they are pulling their company in danger by not making many money.
If you want to help save Japan, go to a proper legit charity company and donate money!
I hate it when people try to help someone but want something back…that is not helping but more of helping yourself get something out of you!
Such a retarded request.
So you want me to spend full £40 on a trash cliche JRPG that I will not enjoy so the money would help Japanese. Or buy a trash game with annoying voices I'll endured so the money could help Japan.
Sorry…best thing to do is DONATE money without getting anything back!
The only thing you'll get back is appreciation from Japanese people who think about you or people who helped donate.
Ok, thanks for the comment Xino.
To briefly address your points – this is basic economics: A healthy company is a company that can pump money back into its local economy. It can hire more people, start more projects, and in turn earn more money.
Those staff it hires earn money, which they can then put into the economy themselves – buying goods and services and helping keep other companies robust.
An individual buying a game is making a small contribution, but that small amount of money helps prop up a company.
Japan is going to need that kind of cash flow in the near future. In Australia through the GFC, the Government proped up the economy by giving each and every person $950, and asking them to spend it. Cash flow is important to a healthy economy.
And it's only a healthy economy that's going to be able to help Japan rebuild in the longer term.
Donations are important, but they're a band aid. They provide immediate relief and are then gone. Helping a nation's economy getting back on its feet is going to help it over a much longer term.
Ok, thanks for the comment Xino.
To briefly address your points – this is basic economics: A healthy company is a company that can pump money back into its local economy. It can hire more people, start more projects, and in turn earn more money.
Those staff it hires earn money, which they can then put into the economy themselves – buying goods and services and helping keep other companies robust.
An individual buying a game is making a small contribution, but that small amount of money helps prop up a company.
Japan is going to need that kind of cash flow in the near future. In Australia through the GFC, the Government proped up the economy by giving each and every person $950, and asking them to spend it. Cash flow is important to a healthy economy.
And it's only a healthy economy that's going to be able to help Japan rebuild in the longer term.
Donations are important, but they're a band aid. They provide immediate relief and are then gone. Helping a nation's economy getting back on its feet is going to help it over a much longer term.
If Microsoft stopped making 360's that might help too!!! Heck, if America as a whole stopped producing all that stuff i'm sure many smaller countries could pick up the slack and make some big bucks! Boo to you America!!!!!1 Taking that big piece of the pie when you don't even need it.
If Microsoft stopped making 360's that might help too!!! Heck, if America as a whole stopped producing all that stuff i'm sure many smaller countries could pick up the slack and make some big bucks! Boo to you America!!!!!1 Taking that big piece of the pie when you don't even need it.
hehe i just bought a bunch of beer (kirin, not sapporo but i like that too), then realized it's actually brewed in the US…..isn't it same with some car factories (like the toyota one in kentucky)? i'm definitely going to consider purchasing japanese stuff to try help their economy but what about when a lot of it isn't actually japanese after all?
hehe i just bought a bunch of beer (kirin, not sapporo but i like that too), then realized it's actually brewed in the US…..isn't it same with some car factories (like the toyota one in kentucky)? i'm definitely going to consider purchasing japanese stuff to try help their economy but what about when a lot of it isn't actually japanese after all?
Hi Matt,
It's true that Japanese companies often outsource manufacturing overseas (Sapporo is brewed in Canada for overseas markets).
But, whether its in licensing, or the company owns those offshore facilities, the money still ends up in Japanese hands when it filters back to HQ.
The effect is slightly less, but when you buy a Toyota, you are still putting money back into the Japanese economy.
Hi Matt,
It's true that Japanese companies often outsource manufacturing overseas (Sapporo is brewed in Canada for overseas markets).
But, whether its in licensing, or the company owns those offshore facilities, the money still ends up in Japanese hands when it filters back to HQ.
The effect is slightly less, but when you buy a Toyota, you are still putting money back into the Japanese economy.