Japan Is What Late-Stage Capitalist Decline Looks Like
Summary
The piece argues that Japan’s experience with late-stage capitalist decline—characterized by overwork, social atomization, and a consumer-driven convenience culture—offers a predictive lens for the United States. It traces historical economic shocks, shifts in employment, and social dynamics (including 'evil jobs', loneliness, and parasocial media) and links these to broader trends in labor precarity and demographic decline.