Japan’s US$580 billion hidden asset? In the back of the cupboard

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.