第２８２回 Workshop報告（７月１２日）

≪FIRST HALF≫

<Agenda>

Spending Smart – How Do You Deal With Rising Prices?

Across Japan, the cost of living has noticeably increased in recent years. From groceries and utilities to transportation and everyday essentials, many people are feeling the financial squeeze. The price of rice, a staple of the Japanese diet, has nearly doubled compared to just a few years ago. Although some companies have responded by raising wages, inflation has often outpaced these increases—leaving many with the sense that their real income is shrinking.

In this session, we’ll explore how individuals are coping with the rising cost of living. Have you changed your daily routines or spending habits in order to cut back? Perhaps you’ve stopped buying certain products, switched to more budget-friendly alternatives, or found creative ways to save on transportation or energy bills. Conversely, are there areas of your life where you intentionally continue to spend more, because you place high value on quality, convenience, or personal satisfaction?

While we may not be able to control inflation itself, we can control how we respond to it. By sharing our personal experiences, small strategies, and spending philosophies, we may gain fresh perspectives and discover new ways to navigate this economic situation.

 <Questions>

1.  In what ways have you adjusted your spending habits in response to rising prices?

2. Is there anything you still choose to spend a lot on even though you feel it is expensive?  Why?

3. If you suddenly receive a million yen that you have to consume within a month, what would be your choice?

≪LATTER HALF≫

Swiping Through Connection

Over the past decade, dating apps have transformed how people form relationships. What was once considered an unconventional way to meet someone is now fully mainstream. In Japan, about 25% of new married couples met through a dating app—more than those who met at school or work. Many people appreciate the convenience, efficiency, and variety these platforms offer. You can browse, match, and chat from anywhere at any time with anyone.

However, this digital convenience raises new questions about how we relate to others. While dating apps make meeting people easier, some argue that they have also made individual connections feel more disposable. With so many options just a swipe away, it’s tempting to treat human interactions like items on a shopping list—judging quickly, moving on even faster.

Other than dating, the ability to “filter” our social circles is becoming a broader trend. From choosing coworkers through remote work to pick out friends and followers online, we increasingly surround ourselves with people who match our preferences. But does this freedom help us form deeper, more meaningful relationships—or make us less patient and less willing to engage with different kinds of people?

Let’s think about how dating apps and digital culture are shaping not just romance, but our fundamental views on connections, choices, and human interactions?

<Questions>

1. Why have matching apps become so popular among the Japanese young generation these days? Is there any potential risks using dating apps for romantic purpose?

2. Do you think people today are more focused on efficiency and convenience when it comes to finding romantic partners? Has this changed how we value each encounter with new people?

3. In this age, we can “filter” the people we interact—through dating apps, social media, and even work styles. Do you think freedom to choose is making individual social relationships better overall? Or is it making us more impatient, selective, or less tolerant?

***Please share the summary of your discussion of Q.3 at the end of the workshop.

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