Most likely you have noticed that Japanese salaryman tend to have always a bag with them, most likely with very little actually in it. Although abroad a men’s bag is understood as a fashion statement or status symbol, I learned that in Japan the same does not apply. Partially the bag is a “moveable office”, something to hold on while sleeping on the train or then contains apart from personal goods as well something to read. Honestly, although I know a man’s bag will never have the same significance as a woman’s bag, I never expected such a huge gap in the paid price of the chosen bag. Today’s Japanese Nikkei Newspaper showed an overview of the commonly paid prices.
Less than JPY 3000: 21%
JPY 3000 – 5000: 22%
JPY 5001 – 10,000: 20%
JPY 10,001 – 30,000: 24%
More than JPY 30,001: 7%
Interestingly only 6% out of the 618 men questioned reported that they do not use a bag. Considering that Japan’s women are known to be very fashion and brand conscious in regard of their own bags, I am wondering whether there is truly no interest by Japanese salaryman to have their unique bag or whether family finances forces them to go for a cheaper version than their spouse.
Brought to you by Sibylle Ito (シビル伊藤)
