It's been said that one of the major reasons Japanese couples don't have more children is because of the costs involved in raising children. With the average employee's monthly income in July last year being around JPY386,000, there isn't a lot of discretionary spending going on after the costs of rent, food, and travel are counted. In particular, there isn't really enough to warrant the cost of JPY23.7m, or a bit over JPY1m per year, that it costs for each extra child present in the family.

Japan has long been touted as the bringer of alternative energy sources. Focusing on several companies that have invested in new energy products, including toilet manufacturer ToTo, Terrie explains why stocks in this industry are set to rocket in the near-to-mid term Read Now

In the third part of this series on her life as a hostess, "June" explains the practices known in the trade as "dohan" and "afters." Are these activities voluntary? How vital are they for the hostess to build a career? Read Now

* * * * * * * F R U G A L W A T C H * * * * * * * *
Last weekly roundup of how to be frugal in the world's most
expensive country to live (unless you read this!), written
and compiled by Wendy J. Imura.

March 21 2008 Issue No. 107
+++ INDEX

Dear Frugalites,

The Frugal Finale!

As you have read from the good folks at Japan Inc., the Frugal
Watch newsletter will be retiring as of this issue. In fact, I
should have written this farewell letter several weeks ago.