Japan’s US$580 billion hidden asset? In the back of the cupboard
The country has stored goods worth roughly the combined market cap of its three most globally known corporate names
JAPAN, collectively, has amassed a quite stupendous amount of stuff over the years. Very nice stuff, much of it – gleaming with brand names and in pristine condition.
At current second-hand market prices, says a new report, Japan’s “hidden asset” in terms of national reserves of things – defined as potentially resaleable household objects that have lain unused for over a year – is worth around US$580 billion.
The dust-gathering contents of Japan’s cupboards, attics and garages, by that estimate, are worth roughly the same as the combined market capitalisation of the country’s most globally known corporate names: Toyota, Sony and SoftBank.
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