News On Japan

Finance or Experience? The Right Investment Choice for Young People

TOKYO, Feb 21 (News On Japan) - As the new NISA and the current stock market boom fuel the investment fever among the younger generation, there's a growing voice suggesting that experience may be more valuable than financial investment at a young age.

On February 20th, the Nikkei average closing price reached 38,363, inching closer to the highest historical value since 1989.

The question arises: why is Japan currently riding a wave of stock market highs? One of the factors is believed to be the "NISA." The new NISA, which started last month with an indefinite tax-exempt period, has directed a significant amount of personal financial assets, such as savings, towards the stock market, attracting foreign investment.

In response to the NISA, it seems that "young people" are paying attention. According to a survey by Nissay Asset Management last year, about 80% of people in their 20s and 30s are using or interested in NISA. In fact, the number of trading accounts among people in their 20s has surged tenfold compared to ten years ago.

From X: "Young people should start investing sooner rather than later."

"If you don't invest early, you won't benefit from compound interest."

It seems that the investment consciousness among young people is rapidly increasing. However, there's also an opposing view:

From X: "When you're young and don't have money, it's better to spend it on yourself."

"Wouldn't traveling around the world make your life richer?"

So, what should young people focus on now? "Financial investment" or "experience"?

Source: ANN

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Reporters Without Borders has released its 2025 World Press Freedom Index, ranking Japan 66th out of 180 countries and regions surveyed, just behind Timor-Leste (65th) and Fiji (64th).

The Trump administration has imposed a 25% additional tariff on imported auto parts, including engines and transmissions, with the measure taking effect at 1:01 p.m. Japan time on May 3rd.

Plans are underway to install designated smoking areas inside the Expo site for the first time.

Okinawa Prefecture has issued a warning to watch out for habu snakes, which become more active as temperatures rise in May, particularly during farming and outdoor activities in mountainous areas.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after driving into seven elementary school children near an Osaka school as they were walking home.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Business NEWS

Japan and the United States held a second round of negotiations over tariffs, with discussions lasting 130 minutes. Economic Minister Akazawa described the talks as substantive, yet many officials believe the outcome hinges on the trajectory of U.S.-China relations.

A wave of fraudulent trades conducted through hijacked securities accounts has prompted Japan’s leading brokerages to move toward compensating affected customers, with some firms opting to offer full refunds.

Japan’s unemployment rate improved in fiscal 2024 for the first time in two years, falling by 0.1 percentage point from the previous year to 2.5 percent, according to government data released on May 2nd.

At the White House, President Donald Trump brought together corporate executives, including SoftBank Group Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son, to highlight major investment commitments made in the United States—presenting them as a direct result of his administration's efforts.

Two women, a 54-year-old mother and her 26-year-old daughter from Kasukabe City in Saitama Prefecture, have been referred to prosecutors by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police for allegedly selling nail parts resembling the logos of luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton without authorization.

The Bank of Japan decided at its monetary policy meeting on May 1st to keep its policy interest rate at the current level of around 0.5%, marking the second consecutive meeting since March in which rates were left unchanged.

Toyota has announced that it has reached a basic agreement with Waymo, the autonomous driving division under Google's parent company, to move toward a new partnership.

Matsuo, operator of the Matsuo Jingisukan chain, has embarked on a surprising new venture by opening its first specialty shoe store last week in Atsubetsu Ward, Sapporo, selling footwear instead of lamb.