I love how as soon as you start talking about the golf clubs, your voice starts trembling like you can barely contain your laughter

I remember seeing a comment about modern day America reflecting 1990's Japan. Many young Americans are struggling to hit important life events that were deemed important by American culture. Many young Americans can't afford homes, struggling with the inflated prices, yet the stock market and real estate market remain near all time highs. Birth rates are declining, mental angst has been rising, a sense of hopelessness is filling the air. This channel has really made me understand how important economics is when it comes to shaping people. I always thought it was just business and numbers, but it dictates cultures.

One of the things tormented the youths in lost decades was that their own parents didn't believe their sons and daughters couldn't get a good job because of the economic downturn but because they just didn't work hard enough. Japanese society as a whole gave almost no help and left the majority of lost generation to Jiko-sekinin (literally: self responsibility, meaning: it is your own fault and not ours) state despite many stats showing their struggles comapared to their parents. What is interesting to me is that the recent "entitlement" debate has some resemblance to Japan's "jiko-sekinin" debate. I feel lost generation is looming up in the States as well.

When the narrator mentioned 'The Lost Generation' of where they're pressured of getting good grades, securing a high paying job, but facing limited job opportunities, it hits really hard to me. This generation is referring to people who were born in the 80s-90s during Japan's economic downfall...aka The Millennials. I myself belong to this generation and I feel their pain.

Man the 70s & 80s was good for everyone, now we’re all paying the price for the life our grandparents lived.

Japan is living 20 years in the future, 40 years ago.

You just unlocked a new obsession for me. Vintage 1980s videos of Japan.

There’s also the 1986 U.S.-Japan semiconductor agreement which similar to the plaza accords came about from the fear of Japanese economic growth ended up hurting its semiconductor business

There's something about that VHS aesthetic at the start. 😅 Let's face it, the sound of a tape cassette getting slotted is straight out of ASMR, and I'm all for it! 😂

not lost decade. lost decades. like 40 years. Still down.

Well done! As a westerner living in Japan since the early 80's, I witnessed first-hand the bubble and its collapse, and continue to live with the after effects. My children, nephews and nieces have had to endure the economic stagnation and stagnated corporate strategies and tactics. Many corporations are still requiring their staff to follow bubble-era practices that simply do not work in today's fast-paced world. The younger generation realizes that things need to change, but there is no leadership in either industry or government willing to take the risk to change things. I dread to think of how difficult it will be for my grandchildren to find meaningful work unless thinking here changes.

I did my first big school assignment on this very topic. I remember being so fascinated by it that it was hard to stop. I’m from Europe, so didn’t know anything about it beforehand. So much to learn from this - really made me realise how much macroeconomics affect societies and individuals in general.

You will find America in every messy and fishy things.

When money gets cheap , people get crazy with debt, this statement is deep.....

17:50 my boy threw us some AI music about the financial collapse of Japan. What a time to be alive.

I moved to Japan in 2000. After 11 years in the country, I finally gave up and moved to Norway with my Japanese wife and three children. I love Japan and would love to live there, but I'm so tired of being the "working poor." Nothing lasts forever, but now Norway gives me the opportunity to live the life I've always dreamed of. Excellent balance of workload and income. I feel very sorry for the Japanese people who are going through difficulties...

The production quality of this video is just through the roof, amazing. Good job, Dagogo and Team ColdFusion!

I arrived in Japan as a teenager in the early 80s. This video brought back many good memories of my youth. After the bubble collapsed, so many of my Japanese friends and I just assumed that the economy would bounce back after a while and all we had to do was just 我慢 (gaman: endure, don't give up, persevere) for just a little bit longer. But that time of "gaman" turned into decades of our entire adult lives. We still do our best and endure despite tough economics and so many natural disasters, which makes it ever more important to appreciate any small pleasures we can find whether that be meeting up with old mates at a local izakaya, taking the time to appreciate the cherry blossoms while walking my dog along the local river, or just being grateful that some of our baby boomer parents in their 80s and 90s are still healthy and living independently. I will always keep the memories and friendships I made during my formative years at the end of the Showa Period close to my heart. I only regret that my nieces and nephews will likely never know the same sense of communal pride, excitement, and positive outlook for the future we once had. Despite the hardships of the past 40+ years, immigrating to Japan was the best decision I could have ever made.

It's a sad and nostalgic video though extremely well crafted. These video episodes of Japan's 80s and 90s reminded me of my youth. I'm 53 and I still have vivid memories of those vibrant days. Greetings of peace from Kazakhstan

Its funny how in the western media no one ever talks about the true reason for Japan's downfall.....the US Japan trade wars of the 80s and 70s that culminated in the plaza accords.

This is what's happening in Australia. Australia's housing market is higher than Japan's 1989 residential land to GDP. We're in a precarious position where housing is unaffordable and inflated to a ridiculous amount. I'm not looking forward to what's to come.

"Remember Japan's 80s bubble?" I was there, chief. Dancing with Miracle Johnson and making a chicken my real estate manager. Jokes aside, I see a lot of similarities with what's been happening in the West. Real estate boom driven by artificially low interest rates, which has led to unsustainable debt financing. Excessive money printing. A lost generation who's never had any real economic stability, leading to high self-deletion rates, and young people forgoing starting families. An inflexible managerial class desperately trying to cling on to the status quo. Of course, there are many key differences as well. Still, it shows our complete inability to learn from our own mistakes, let alone the mistakes of others.

First class piece as always, man. That clip of the guy saying, "Please give our staff your support, I beg you" is heart-breaking.

Like always, it is a fantastic documentary with brilliant and thoughtful insights. And pleasant visuals and great montage. It just wants you to crave more and rewatch it

I was captivated by this video from the moment it started playing, the music, that instant nostalgia from that vintage cinematography … very well executed video

Nothing fits better together than ColdFusion and financial documentary topics

I'm only half through the video but I had to pause because I really need to say this: your videos are so beautifully made! The selection of clips and videos, the musical transitions, the script, it has such a unique fingerprint, it's not only a documentary piece but a piece of art. I'm a fan of yours for 4 years and counting!

This topic and video are very well put together. I must also commend the song Opia at the end. I found it on your bandcamp profile and have been listening to it nonstop. I hope a longer version comes out in the future. Thank you.

Well done. Simply well done. You managed to explain all that in under 30 minutes in a way that was easy to follow. Subscribed!

I can't believe the quality of your content. It's truly the new format for this generation for sharing high value background information on topics that need more attention.

Every 2 minutes in the video "They didn't forsee " And despite the final warning in the video, there's no way this will never happen again. Human greed is too strong. And when you think about it, people in the government are there for 5 years max. They won't be around for the knock-on effect 10 years down the road. Great video!

What I like about watching videos like this is I learn a lot in a short span of time. Kudos to the channel's owner.

All that retro footage in the background and the music gives this video a classic old school ColdFusion feel Awesome video as usual man

In my opinion, another blow to the Japanese economy was the release of the smartphones and specifically the Iphone. Japan was leader in technology for cellular phones, calculators, translators devices and music portable devices, and it was supported by the high internal consumption. Iphone made all the other devices useless, while becoming a staple between Japanese consumers, who purchased this device over the ones made by local brands. I’m living in Tokyo for almost 20 years, I experienced first person the big changes in the electronic market. I miss the old Japan.

Great overview, i'm really amazed by the wide variety of topics being covered on this channel in such an excellent manner

My fave intro to any of your vids! Great insightful vid as always!

If I ever get access to a Time Machine, I'm going back and spending my life in the 80's

New Cold Fusion = Good Monday morning for me.

Awesome video. Very thoughtfully made ❤

Years ago, I remember reading about the Japanese school system. There was so much pressure on kids to excel that some became suicidal. A poor girl wrote "I have passed the exam to heaven" before jumping to her death.

Masterful script, editing and music, well done mate!

I want to comment two things: One, your work-rate is insane, and the amount of content you pump out with top quality is amazing. Two, constantly raising your video quality is super impressive. Kudos!

Thank you for the history lesson we never hear a deep dive about!

This was such a well made video! Loved the 80s synth music

I went to economics school and my teacher is supposedly one of the most important "experts" in Japanese economy in Brazil. This video was much better than his whole semester

I am leaving this comment here so that after some hours, days, weeks, months or years when someone likes or comment on it, I will be reminded to watch this video again

Great work Dagogo. Thanks for another great doco! :)

I’m an American who just visited Tokyo for the first time last week - it’s such an amazing city with fantastic infrastructure and the Japanese people are so polite! Kind of hard to believe considering how much they’ve struggled the past several decades… I truly wish the best for the country of Japan in the coming years 🙏🏼

In *Blade Runner*, there's a memorable line delivered by Dr. Eldon Tyrell that goes: "The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long - and you have burned so very, very brightly, Roy." This line is said to Roy Batty, highlighting the fleeting but intense existence of the replicants.

Just realized something about Cold Fusion, he does not promote, he has no short adverts. Thats impressive to say the least and the way to go for all creators. Also Cold Fusion does not import other creators vids, which so many on here do. All this leads to a straight forward production and that looks, feels and sounds more professional than any News Outlet out there to day, as even they (News Agencies) use other agencies footage and do not create their own. Amazing work as per normal and very informative video. We all had heard about the Japanese Bubble and Decline but I for one did not know how or why it was happening. Guess that if a youngster to day can not see a better future, such as a job and having their own home, why should they start a family at all and give the Japanese government more of their tax. Single = less tax to give away.

I've missed your videos covering recent historical events!

I’ve enjoyed and learned so much from your work, Thanks!

The way you changed the mood in the video was noticeable and impressive. That is, you were playing 80's style music, and suddenly everything became subdued by switching to your more "ethereal" soundtracks. Nice work.

The quality of videos are always spectacular on this channel, but you've really outdone yourself with the production on this. Fascinating, informative, and brilliantly made.

the first one minute of the video. i do not think there is anything else on the entire internet that describes the 80s japan so perfectly. Its so good that will make you want to live that life.

GREAT video - wonderful job and very timely - thanks!

As being a Japanese who have lived through the eras in this video, I feel very bitter sweet about many things after watching this video. I left the country and have been living in Europe, I often wondered why the country still can be listed in the global top groups of anything… Japan is a very unique country and there are (still) many potentials to grow again though the aging country won’t be able to reverse its course. Very well made documentary, a top notch, indeed.👍🏼❤

Thank you so much Dagogo and the cold fusion team for making such a wonderful video. The pace and amount of information is spot on. I’ve always enjoyed your coverage and will recommend others to watch as well. Please continue to stay true to your believes and make great videos like this. 🙏🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Thank you very much for a well put together video!

That intro synthwave track was bangin’!

When I was a child, I saw the neon lit japanese city footage playing on TV. I immediately fell in love with it, even though I was just 5. It feels like a dream, which it is... it's a fleeting dream, but it was beautiful.

Really enjoy the way you balance the ins & outs / pros & cons in your videos, mostly unbiased. Great choice of topics, as always 👍

Gotta say that montage at 17:51 is so good and just simply what most KZfaqrs lack, sometimes the audience needs to just see on their own without unending voice-overs. Bravo 👏👏👏 I know it doesn't lift the mountain but you earned 1+ subscription

An excellent documentary! Very well done ColdFusion!

The exact same situation of hopelessness is happening in this very moment! Millions of students who were supposed and on path to becoming software engineers have suddenly lost it all as companies have withdrawn hiring. I too have a fair share of this until I recently got employed as software engineer but I am really scared as I know the ground reality that future is super uncertain and I could be on the streets the very next moment. Millions of students have been lied and their dreams have been shattered. We were told since our childhood to get high grades and we did absolutely that and now that we graduated this year/last year, no company is willing to hire.

Great video. Keep up the excellent work!

Right now, Japan has a real estate bubble. Because the Yen is so cheap, and the politic supporting this, many foreigners buy up land, selling it for inflated prices or build houses for prices regular employees can't afford, just like Chinese buying up a lot of buildings in Harajuku and raising the rent so high that alot of shops have to close. Another side effect of that is the unnatural rise in food prices coming in waves. Some products are heaper, or more expensive depending on the day or time you walk into the supermarket. But of course, salary does not rise BUT it feels like every shop now caters for tourists and therefore asks for more. At least here in central Tokyo

I am commenting as a Japanese person who lived during these times. It is completely understandable that this video was created based on several facts. However, there is a significant difference between the macro economy, prominent stereotyped social phenomena, and reality. At least for me and the people around me, "no one" was directly affected by the "bubble." It is true that the "bursting of the bubble" brought about problems for the macro economy and certain societies, but my friends and I have received regular salary increases, started families, and now that our children are adults, we have retired with adequate assets. The lesson I learned during the "bubble era" was "don't get caught up in unnecessary trends." It's about thinking about what "true happiness" is and acting on it, not about creating huge amounts of wealth beyond my financial needs.

Why is it that every time there is a financial crisis, one of the biggest common denominators is always unsustainable levels of debt? Like seriously, it happens _every freaking time_ . How can it be so very hard for people to just not borrow more than they can afford? 😑

This makes so much more sense. I can’t believe I am just learning about this story.

This is just excellently well done! 😊

I love your videos man, it's like watching the most amazing thesis on financial topics.

I love ColdFusion! Simply excellently made. Thanks mate

Nice work, thanks for making such nice informative content

Meiji Restoration - WW2 - Nuclear Attack - Japanese economic miracle - Manufacturing powerhouse - Bubble Burst - The lost decades Me waiting for their comeback 🗿🗿

Phenomenal video. Japan is the next country I will visit. The music, the sights, the hairstyles from the 80’s make me daydream about the day I touchdown in Tokyo-and forget about the anxiety inducing 16 hour flight.

17:49 what a great insertion you put there.

I lived in Tokyo for 7 years from 2006 from Australia. During that time, China replaced Japan as the second largest economy. The mood among Japanese friends was existential, and I learned a lot of deep lessons about motivation, the internal struggle between culture and personal impetus, but also resilience and incredible layered depth, in both culture and people. I much preferred that Japan to the frenzy I heard about in the 80’s. I have a deep love for the Japanese people and hope they discover a path forward. 頑張って皆さん！

ColdFusion is a gem on this platform. Incredible documentary had my rapt attention the whole 27 minutes. Keep up the great work bro 👍

When the 80s Japanese cyber music came on, I knew this documentary will be lit.

amazing documentary , learned alot and now obsessed with Japan of the 80's

I remember watching your videos when you only had a few subscribers wondering why this guy was not famous yet, We have come a long way, but I still believe you are underrated though, still a long way to go.

That’s a great intro, well done for finding some retro equipment to do that😊

Another great video in the books mate! Loved the lil song montage at the end of the 2nd act.

Japan's birth rate is not significantly different from that of OECD countries. There are some countries that are lower than Japan. Yet, it is strange that when it comes to analysis of Japan, it is common to treat it as if it were the only country in the world with a declining birthrate.

Very interesting video, thanks for preparing and sharing with us.

11:40 pretty sure this image is of Seoul not Tokyo or another Japanese city. Great video as always though!

The quality of your content is amazing. Thanks

That's why all that City Pop music you see online and making a comeback REPRESENTS the good times of the 1980's. A bustling night life with nightclubs with people dancing, drinking, buildings with the lights on that you see in City Pop. Animes like Maison Ikkoku (same author who did Ranma 1/2 and Inuyasha) showing that nightlife. It represented good times with all that electronic music of the 80's. Then the music stopped in 1990 and sadly Japan's has been in that economic stagnation for the last 35 years. In 1990, the GDP of Japan was 3.18 trillion. In 2023, it was 5.3 trillion. Compared that to the US which was in 1990 was 5.96 trillion and in 2023 IT'S NOW 27.36 TRILLION. Even worse is the birth rate that everyone has known for the last 40 years. The US can absorb that hit because of immigration policy and so many different ethnicities. So it won't hurt the US in the long run. In Japan, they got very strict immigration policies so they are in deep s when it comes to their aging population and that also includes South Korea and now China.

Amazing video! Very informative

As always, fantastic video documentary from Cold Fusion.

The opening literally gives me 90s chill.

This has been among your finest work. Bravo!

I just got back from Japan about a week ago and it is Packed with so many people including many many Foreign Tourists! The restaurants and shops were full of locals.You can barely move in the Shopping Malls. I guess people just ADJUST and continue living??? Ginza and Roppingi was full of people shopping High End products.

Now the globe will get to experience this together as a family 😅

Unbelievably good documentary!!! Love your videos for years and years now 💜💜💜

I am a Japanese who moved to the US few years ago. I've been financially secured but always thinking about moving back. Not necessarily about family or nostalgia but the food and the great culture. There are things like GDP cannot never measure.

Great video. Comprehensively covers the issues that lead to Japan's epic rise then fall.

Thanx for another great "economy explained" video. I've learned and understood things from it for example how and why Ford and Mazda are connected. As always, Thanx 👍

So that's why citypop from japan in 80s feels so good to listen, people were having the party of their lives