We Japanese - A Mouse in Your Pocket?

One of the least favorite expressions I heard while living in Japan, and I heard it a lot, was ‘we Japanese.’ nihonjin wa…

Without fail I would think, what? Have you asked all the Japanese everywhere and found out that you are all the same? How do you know? Or do you have a mouse in your pocket and you are speaking on behalf of the mouse, presumably Japanese, and yourself?

Japanese are a self conscious bunch, it seems to me. Too much so. But, that’s not another issue.

There are web sites devoted to what Japanese people think…in English and Japanese.

Today’s Nikkei news - Consumers take on economy at 5-year low. (The reader might need a subscription to click through.)

Japanese consumers are growing increasingly pessimistic about the economy the report says. The outlook is the worst in 5 years.  Price hikes, lower stock prices are to blame.

If you are Japanese and looking for something to say and need backup in case you are talking to someone like me - try this
“We Japanese think the economy is in the dumps and getting worse.”

You’ll be right.

But, you had better say it soon, in case the economy takes a turn.