Japan Reacts

Author: Japan Reacts Editorial

  • ‘We Want You Working Until 70,’ Companies Admit — Average Expected Retirement Age 67.9, Oldest Worker 91

    A survey finding that companies expect employees to stay “active” until an average age of 67.9 — with the oldest expected age being 91 — sparked reactions on 5ch’s News Speed+ board. Companies from the transportation and IT services sectors were quoted wanting staff to work “until 75” or “until around 70.” The thread saw plenty of complaints about the system where pay drops sharply after rehiring past retirement age, along with pointed criticism of the mismatch with the pension start age. At the same time, some worried about maintaining physical stamina and motivation for work, while others weighed in on FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) plans for their 40s — the discussion ranged from whether a long working life is even desirable to strategies for building assets.

    ◼ Survey on trends in companies’ expected “active working age”

    When asked up to what age they’d like their own employees to stay active, the overall average came out to 67.9 years old.

    Companies offered comments such as, “If someone is healthy and able to work, we’d like them to work until 75” (transportation/warehousing, Saitama Prefecture) and “In this era of 100-year lifespans, we’d like people to stay active until around 70” (IT services, Fukuoka Prefecture).

    Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Original article here

    4AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:36
    They're not even hiding that they see us as replaceable cogs anymore lol
    5AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:37
    Ah, so they just want to keep using cheap old workers.
    That's straight-up evil.
    6AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:37
    Overhaul the retirement system already.
    I don't want to keep working if rehiring means my pay gets slashed.
    15AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:41
    Re: #6
    Exactly this.
    What's the logic in cutting pay for the exact same job?
    And pensions don't start until 65 while retirement age is still stuck at 60.
    17AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:42
    Makes sense since life expectancy keeps rising.
    The pension system was designed around the last 20 years of life, after all.
    20AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:43
    Having dealt with Timee (gig-work app) hires at warehouses, I totally get why a seasoned old guy is more reliable than some weird, unmotivated college kid who won't listen to a word you say.
    21AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:43
    No no no, I'm working until 50, retiring early, and traveling the world nonstop lol
    22AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:44
    If you're able to work, you should.
    Just at a manageable pace.
    Quit working and you lose your sense of purpose and connection to society — you age fast after that.
    23AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:44
    Re: #1
    Fine if they actually hire you as full staff with annual raises,
    but it's probably contract-worker treatment anyway.
    24AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:44
    My pay drops 30% just for turning 60 — why would that make me want to keep working?
    25AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:44
    Death risk goes up too, you know.
    Do they even pay out condolence money or something?
    26AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:44
    I'd consider it if they restored the pay that gets cut after retirement rehiring.
    28AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:45
    Meanwhile they reject tons of applicants at the resume stage just for their age.
    29AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:45
    So at 60 you're supposed to go find new work doing blue-collar labor?
    34AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:46
    If you want us to keep working, don't cut our pay.
    102AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:19
    Re: #34
    They want you to work BECAUSE it's cheap!
    37AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:48
    Newborns dropped 30% in just 10 years.
    Anyone who thinks they'll be able to live off their pension in the future is out of their mind.
    41AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:49
    Re: #37
    No point paying into the pension then.
    Better off just saving it yourself.
    50AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:52
    Sure, that's possible if it's not physical labor, but
    pay for data entry, glorified errand-running, gofer work, and professional meeting-attenders should be even lower.
    63AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:56
    Re: #50
    This is a country where a 74-year-old woman wearing a hard hat falls to her death doing work at height.
    59AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:55
    Retirement age went up to 65, and there's a 62-year-old still working who makes so many mistakes I wonder if dementia is setting in.
    61AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:56
    Re: #59
    Might actually be starting for real.
    Maybe suggest they get checked out.
    124AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:29
    Rehiring lets companies push pay down to almost minimum wage.
    Companies are laughing all the way to the bank.
    129AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:31
    Re: #124
    At my company that led to a flood of zero-motivation contract staff, so starting this year they switched to the same pay and performance reviews as full-timers.
    134AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:33
    I'm building up 100 million yen (~$650K USD) and FIRE-ing by my early 40s.
    Can't imagine spending my whole life working.
    181AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:07
    Re: #134
    I'm 58 with over 100 million yen (~$650K USD) in financial assets —
    so tell me how to actually retire.
    153AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:45
    Even now though, the job-hopping age limit hasn't budged from the Showa-era "35."
    The moment you turn 35, job listings crater to less than a tenth of what they were.
    155AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:46
    Re: #153
    This makes no sense to me.
    Once you fall off the track once, there's no way you can survive, right?
    171AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:59
    My spouse and I have 300 million yen (~$2M USD) combined — is it okay for us to FIRE?
    179AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:05
    Re: #171
    Should be fine if you're over 35.
    173AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:00
    I want to quit right now.
    Can't wait for retirement.
    190AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:17
    Re: #173
    What's it feel like spending most of your life at a job like that?
    182AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:10
    Young people today have NISA (Japan's tax-free investment account), a general mood pushing everyone toward investing, and rising interest rates — I'm jealous.
    FIRE-ing in your 40s is realistic now.
    I never invested a yen because there used to be this vibe that investing was somehow shady.
    Started a few years ago, but I doubt I'll get much benefit from compounding at this point.
    198AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:29
    Re: #182
    People who started buying stocks right when an LDP administration change looked like a lock
    probably have a high rate of becoming 'oku-ri-bito' (yen-denominated stock millionaires).
    186AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:14
    I'm unmarried and just finished caring for my parents, so part of me wants to quit and take it easy, but
    looking at Japanese society as a whole, there's no way I actually can lol
    189AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:15
    Re: #186
    > 'just finished'
    Did they pass away?

    Background and Key Points of This Discussion

    Under Japan’s Act on Stabilization of Employment of Elderly Persons, companies are legally required to secure employment up to age 65, while ensuring work opportunities up to age 70 remains only a “best-efforts” obligation. It’s easy to misread the survey’s 67.9-year figure as a company promise — it’s merely an “expectation,” not a commitment to better treatment. The thread’s main split was over whether cutting pay after rehiring is justified: some criticized it as a cost-cutting tactic, while others cited real examples of companies restoring full-employee treatment. Many also pointed out the persistent gap between the pension start age (generally 65) and the retirement/rehiring system, fueling frustration that the system hasn’t caught up with people’s willingness to keep working. Meanwhile, thanks to NISA and a changing investment climate, some posters discussed FIRE-ing in their 40s — a value system coexisting in the very same thread alongside the assumption of working long into old age.

    ※This article is compiled from excerpts and summaries of the 5ch (News Speed+) thread “‘We Want You Working Until 70,’ Companies Admit — Average Expected Retirement Age 67.9, Oldest Worker 91.”

  • Hideo Kojima’s 2016 remark that ‘partnering with SIE means no meddling’ resurfaces amid controversy after contract split

    In a 2016 interview with Toyo Keizai, Hideo Kojima described his relationship with Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), saying a “simple setup makes things easier since there’s no unnecessary meddling.” That remark has resurfaced on 5ch’s hardware/industry (console war) board. The thread also dug into Kojima’s own account that SIE had abruptly notified him of the cancellation of a project in development, sparking a wave of reactions to how a relationship that once seemed so good had completely flipped. Posters were split on where to place the blame — some pointed to Kojima’s track record dating back to his Konami days, others blamed SIE for cutting costs after its own in-house titles underperformed — and no consensus was reached.

    Why I partnered with Sony

    — You chose Sony Interactive Entertainment as your development partner.

    That’s right, for DEATH STRANDING, which is currently in development. Some people say it’s risky that funding for the first project came from Sony alone — that it’s too simple a setup — but that’s not true at all. If anything, a simpler setup makes things easier, since there’s no unnecessary meddling. I think it’s also a desirable arrangement in terms of balancing commercialism with creative authorship. I’ve been a Sony fan since way back, and we’ve worked together professionally for a long time — there’s real trust between us. The PlayStation market is also a good match for my creative sensibility.

    Source: toyokeizai.net / Original article here

    2AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:43
    Great, so partnering with SIE means no meddling and you get to
    make whatever you want, huh
    12AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:46
    Re: #2
    But if you don't actually deliver per the contract, you get cut loose.
    Guess Kojima grew up a bit just by learning that much
    3AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:43
    Honestly seems like a lot of this is on his side too 😅
    7AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:45
    Re: #3
    That was pretty much obvious the moment he left Konami.
    What's funny is the people who defended him just for being buddy-buddy with Sony are now piling on the second he splits from Sony
    11AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:46
    Re: #3
    True, but
    Konami's honor should get restored first
    83AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:12
    Re: #3
    Everyone's struggling to grow their audience these days, so anyone who trashes casual players can't be all there
    4AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:44
    Made whatever he wanted, turned into a VTuber-otaku, it didn't sell, and got cut loose — that's the punchline
    114AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:21
    Re: #4
    Putting that VTuber in his game was a huge net negative
    14AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:46
    It's probably true "Koji-kan" (nickname for Kojima) has issues too, but
    lol the Sony defenders have no leg to stand on because of that garbage Wolverine game
    62AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:07
    Re: #14
    This really is just cost-cutting in the end
    Well, I do think Kojima should've picked up his development pace, but SIE deciding it can't carry him given its current results is also on them
    26AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:53
    Apparently if you can dodge even one of these, it becomes yours
    Go do solo indie dev at home by yourself, good luck
    36AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:57
    Who's getting bashed more, Sony or Kojima? What's the ratio?
    53AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:04
    Re: #36
    Overseas it's overwhelmingly the former (Sony)
    55AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:05
    Re: #36
    Overwhelmingly Sony
    50AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:03
    PlayStation fanboys who read this interview, back then:
    "See, SIE really does love games~ great relationship with creators too. Nintendo should take notes lol"
    Now:
    "Of course he got cut, he's trash. SIE did nothing wrong"
    64AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:08
    Re: #50
    Lol that's rough
    Guess it's the sales barrier from hyping up Death Stranding 2 that hard and then not buying it
    67AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:09
    Re: #50
    People are seriously saying stuff like this
    They defended Kojima forever,
    and the instant the split happens they do a total 180 — that's genuinely unhinged
    60AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:06
    "A notice saying 'we're canceling the project' arrived suddenly from SIE."

    Unless that one line gets debunked, Sony's going to keep looking like the villain here
    66AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:08
    Re: #60
    The fact that he specifically threw in "suddenly" says a lot
    He even goes on to say he then struggled and ended up teaming with Microsoft
    Really does make you think Kojima's got some real grievances
    72AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:10
    Re: #60
    A masterfully worded line that really shows off Director Kojima's leadership
    A rallying cry to send in the funnels (Gundam term for sending fans to attack on your behalf)
    71AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:10
    Re: #66
    That's total victim-posturing
    77AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:10
    Re: #71
    Well, I guess you could take it that way
    But man, this is seriously an internal squabble
    88AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:12
    Re: #77
    It's painfully obvious he's trying to sic his fanbase on people every time — not very manly
    95AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:14
    Re: #88
    Feels like the same thing got said during the Konami days too,
    but looking back, thinking that split was actually the more amicable one says a lot, doesn't it?
    98AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:15
    Re: #88
    Sending in the funnels and basking in it is basically his signature move anyway, so…
    82AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:11
    Koji-kan is really good at framing himself as a tragic creator
    Got cut loose by both Konami and Sony for being a money pit, yet still manages to project this air of persecution
    89AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:13
    Re: #82
    Well, the biggest factor really is just
    "he's past his prime and can't make games that sell anymore" 😇
    99AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:15
    Re: #82
    Being effectively held under house arrest by KONAMI during development, with communication to the dev team cut off, is a genuine tragedy though
    KONAMI wasn't just cold toward Kojima back then — other producers and directors got the same treatment
    102AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:17
    Re: #82
    🦊 "Sony deceived me!"
    105AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:18
    In the end, this guy's only real path forward is to land some kind of contract work with Konami, get allowed to make a Metal Gear game, and rebuild trust that way
    109AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:19
    Re: #105
    Konami's already completely cut ties, right?

    Looking at what he's done since leaving Konami, would they even want to deal with him again?
    115AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:21
    Re: #105
    Konami's worked hard to build a foundation where they don't need Kojima anymore — there's zero upside for them…
    But if it got exposed that they just kicked him out, the damage would be huge, so they'd have no choice but to take him back
    From Kojima's side, it's a pure win-win move
    120AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:22
    Re: #105
    That just sounds like him begging to make another MGS
    106AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:18
    And to think Kojima was smiling this much when he opened his studio near Sony's HQ…




    112AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:20
    Re: #106
    I bet he looked about the same today too
    161AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:32
    Makes no sense why Sony's being framed as if they're broke
    They're plenty profitable and loaded — they're the ones who cut him, right? (´・ω・｀) (a pouty emoticon face)
    176AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:36
    Re: #161
    Being profitable and choosing to put that money into investment or software development are two different things

    Background and points of contention

    Kojima’s relationship with SIE began with the development of DEATH STRANDING after he left Konami in 2015, and the quoted interview dates from that honeymoon period. The topic resurfaced now because Kojima’s own account — that SIE abruptly notified him of a project’s cancellation — drew renewed attention years later, and posters treated it as ironic that he ended up having his contract cut by the very partner he’d praised for not “meddling.” In the thread, some cited the poor performance of SIE’s own in-house titles, like Marvel’s Wolverine, as evidence of the company’s cost pressures, while others questioned Kojima’s own development pace and sales track record — the two camps never reached a consensus on which was the primary cause. It’s also worth noting that the entire account of the cancellation notice comes from Kojima’s side, not from any official statement by SIE.

    *This article is compiled from excerpts and a summary of the 5ch (Hardware/Industry (Console Wars)) thread “Hideo Kojima: “Partnering with SIE feels safe — no unnecessary meddling, and they just do what I say”.”

  • Aoi Yu Makes First-Ever Appearance on ‘Lovit!’ — Then Walks Off After Just 5 Minutes, Co-Star Matsuyama Kentaro Explains Why

    Actress Aoi Yu (41) made her first-ever appearance on TBS’s “Lovit!” on September 11, but in an unusual turn of events, she “left” the show just 5 minutes after it began. According to Nikkan Sports, co-star Matsuyama Kentaro explained the reason behind it. Since Aoi has rarely appeared on variety shows since getting married, her first appearance alone was already generating buzz. On 5ch, threads buzzed with speculation over why she left — “maybe a family trip,” “maybe an urgent work matter came up” — and the discussion even spun off into talk about the show’s production setup and typical appearance fees.

    Nikkan Sports

    [September 11, 2026, 9:52 AM]

    Actress Aoi Yu (41) appeared live on TBS’s “Lovit!” (weekdays, 8:00 AM) on the 11th. It marked her first appearance on the show, but in an unusual turn of events, she “left” just 5 minutes after it started.

    Source: nikkansports.com / Original article here

    2AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:30
    Guess I'll eat something while watching Piece-kun, the world's most famous capybara, from Omiya Zoo on YouTube
    7AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:33
    There's already a legendary senior, Matsudaira Ken, who goes by "Matsuken" — and this guy has the nerve to use the same nickname? What a jerk.
    10AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:33
    Apparently Uchan's too loyal a guy to appear on any show airing opposite Nanchan's.
    24AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:39
    "Re: #10
    Tokoro George's a free spirit like that — he co-starred with Beat Takeshi on shows like 'Sekai Marumie!' and 'Dracula,' while at the very same time hosting 'Sekai Tondemo History' in the timeslot going head-to-head with 'Genki TV.'"
    12AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:34
    Yamasato was off too, so it's probably just a summer family trip.
    20AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:38
    "Re: #12
    Ah, so you mean she couldn't make it in time for a train or a flight or something?"
    13AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:34
    There was one creepy person there and it threw the whole vibe off.
    14AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:35
    Never watched Lovit!, DayDay., or Pokapoka.
    19AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:37
    Lovit! got boring once they stopped doing those pricey location shoots, so I quit watching.
    30AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:42
    "Re: #19
    They aired 'Lord Tate and his entourage's Disney location shoot' four weeks straight though."
    25AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:39
    I honestly don't get what's supposed to be good about Yamasato.
    28AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:41
    "Re: #25
    Probably a punishment game (a comedy segment where someone's forced to do something embarrassing), right?"
    26AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:40
    Surprised to learn Aoi Yu is already 41.
    29AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:42
    If Yamasato Ryota were taking a personal day off from DayDay., he'd probably just come out and say it's a "summer vacation."
    But announcing "he's off today" without giving a reason makes you wonder if something sudden came up, doesn't it?
    Either way, hope it's nothing serious.
    31AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:42
    "Re: #1
    "She had some business to attend to."

    That's supposed to be the explanation?
    Sounds like a toddler wrote this armchair piece (a "kotatsu article" — one slapped together from home with zero real reporting)."
    33AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:44
    Who's even happy that Aoi Yu showed up?
    43AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:54
    They were teasing it like there was some big story behind it — so what's actually going on here?
    45AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:58
    Normal adults are watching a morning news show at this hour, aren't they?
    48AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:00
    They're doing generative-AI quiz segments now?
    They've truly run out of material.
    49AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:01
    Even if her husband is on air, it's from 9:00, and he's off that day anyway.
    Do people really go this far out of their way just because it's "a daily show in an overlapping timeslot"?
    If it were a family trip or something, sure, that'd make sense though.
    50AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:02
    Lately Lovit! feels like a show that's just showing you the raw, unedited footage clips.
    52AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:03
    If it was going to go like that, better not to have shown up at all.
    65AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:13
    A drama pays several million yen per episode,
    but once you add in the fees from all the magazine and TV promo appearances,
    it adds up to a pretty huge amount.
    And if you're the lead, a CM deal is basically guaranteed after the drama wraps.
    Add it all up, and starring in one drama locks in about 100 million yen over three months.
    68AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:14
    "Re: #65
    Though who knows how much of that actually ends up in her own pocket."

    Background and Talking Points

    Since getting married, Aoi Yu has rarely appeared on variety shows, so her first-ever appearance on “Lovit!” was already generating buzz on its own. This time, the unusual development was her leaving just 5 minutes after the segment started; reports say co-star Matsuyama Kentaro explained the reason on the show’s behalf, though the excerpt from the source article doesn’t include the specific details of that explanation. On the thread, baseless speculation flew around about the reason for her departure — “family trip,” “next job,” and so on — but it’s worth noting that none of it has been confirmed by reporting. There were also several posts confusing Aoi Yu with an adult-video actress or with “Sora Aoi,” showing how easily people mix up performers who share a name or a similar stage name online. The fact that the discussion drifted into talk of production costs and typical appearance fees also shows stronger interest in tangential details than in the main story itself.

    ※This article is compiled as an excerpt/summary of the 5ch (Geinou/Sports News+) thread “[6ch] Aoi Yu’s long-awaited ‘Lovit!’ appearance ends in bizarre 5-minute “walkout,” co-star Matsuken explains why.”

  • “Stab” and “Kill”: Miyagi High School Baseball Federation Moves to Overhaul Violent-Sounding Terms, Also Weighing 7-Inning Games and Venues Beyond Koshien

    Reports say the Miyagi Prefecture High School Baseball Federation is considering revising baseball terms that sound rather violent, like “dead ball” (hit-by-pitch) and “steal” (base-stealing). At the same time, as a heat countermeasure, high school baseball is reportedly also discussing shortening games to a 7-inning format and holding matches at venues other than Koshien. On the thread, some pushed back that this is “word-policing that misses the point,” while others showed understanding for the heat measures themselves — splitting the discussion into two tracks: the merits of the terminology changes and the merits of the tournament-operation changes.

    YTV, September 11, 2026, 8:00 AM

    Right now, the Miyagi Prefecture High School Baseball Federation is considering revising baseball terms like “dead ball” and “steal.” In addition, for high school baseball, introducing a 7-inning format and holding games somewhere other than Koshien are being considered as heat countermeasures — but the proposals are drawing both support and criticism.

    ■ Reactions split on proposed baseball term changes: “This word-policing misses the point”

    Source: news.ntv.co.jp / Original article here

    3AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:20
    Forget that — go fix soccer's English terminology already (a jab likening this row to a similar fuss over anglicized soccer terms)
    4AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:20
    You hear guys yelling "sase, sase!" ("close the gap!") at the racetrack all the time
    11AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:23
    Re: #4

    That's because come-from-behind horses that blow past their rivals right at the finish line are popular — it looks so satisfying too.
    74AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:47
    Re: #4
    In horse racing "sasu" is written 差す ("to close in/pass"), not 刺す ("to stab")
    It just means overtaking.
    6AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:21
    If they're gonna switch to a 7-inning format, hurry up and do it already
    Give it a little while and kids will start going "wait, they used to play 9 innings?"
    10AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:22
    If you hold it somewhere other than Koshien in the first place, it stops being Koshien.
    And besides, the whole appeal is players drenched in sweat under the blazing sun, playing like their lives are on the line, crying their eyes out — that's the point, right?
    Would you actually be moved watching them play comfortably in some nice cool venue? You wouldn't.
    12AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:23
    What ever happened to the "omae" ("hey you") problem with the fight songs?
    17AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:24
    There are three domed stadiums on Honshu —
    why not just split the games across those?
    Playing in this blazing heat just isn't feasible anymore
    not for the players, not for the cheering squads.
    18AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:24
    Guess "attack" in volleyball and stuff is off the table too then.
    19AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:24
    Is there really any need to translate it into Japanese?

    They never bothered translating "offside" either.
    21AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:25
    "Caught stealing by pickoff" → "Picked off (out)"
    "Caught stealing" → "Advance denied (out)"

    That should satisfy everyone, right?
    22AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:25
    Wonder if this'll get kids playing again like the old days lol
    23AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:25
    Time to move the summer championship to a domed stadium in the Tokyo area already.
    Keep the spring Senbatsu at Koshien as is — make that THE one true Koshien tournament.
    24AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:26
    Plenty of the guys actually playing are pretty rough themselves, so who cares.
    25AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:26
    Why not just do it all in English?
    Actually I haven't watched baseball in ages so I wouldn't know — do they still use terms like "double kill" (double play) and "dead ball" these days?
    26AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:26
    They've probably changed by now, but why do baseball uniforms always look so hot to wear anyway?
    28AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:27
    "Uncaught third strike" is the English term for furinige (a batter reaching base after a dropped third strike).
    Calling a steal "sukiari" ("there's an opening!") actually makes sense.
    Apparently tourists come watch Pacific League games, and when you explain what the words mean they get super hyped.
    So when a furinige works, they shout "Sukiii, Ariii!" lol
    29AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:27
    Following in soccer-sensei's footsteps — how admirable.
    30AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:28
    Three innings ought to be plenty, honestly.
    After that just settle it with a good old brawl.
    31AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:28
    "Out" ← feels like total rejection, needs review. "Foul" ← sounds like an unwanted child, needs review.
    "Change" ← sounds like being judged on looks, so that's a no. "Home run" ← sounds like calling someone the ultimate idiot, rejected.
    48AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:34
    Cut out the trash media's "◯-gun" (team-tier) labels too (masugomi — a snide "garbage media" pun on "mass media")
    64AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:42
    Re: #48
    Some team's got a 4th-string squad…
    Guess it's all about having the money?
    53AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:37
    Just like how soccer's "suicide point" got renamed "own goal,"
    maybe "dead ball" really is the one term worth fixing.
    55AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:37
    Re: #53
    Then just call it an "own ball" and call it a day.
    70AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:44
    Re: #53
    "Dangerous pitch" works fine.
    56AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:38
    Just leave it written in katakana like now, no?
    A dead ball can genuinely be dangerous depending on the situation, so if anything it's better left as is.
    60AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:40
    Re: #56
    So what, "SASE"? "KOROSE"?
    72AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:45
    Just turn Koshien itself into a domed stadium already.
    75AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:47
    Re: #72
    Simplest fix: just don't hold it.
    There's no real need to crown a national champion out of a school club activity anyway.
    76AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:48
    Re: #72
    The real problem is probably that there's so much vested interest baked in that they can't even hold it elsewhere temporarily.
    80AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:49
    Judging by the prefectural federation's own comments, they seem fully committed to changing it.
    103AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:58
    Re: #80
    Well, local high school baseball federations are run by civil-servant teachers.
    "◯se!" (stab/kill-type chants) really isn't appropriate language for a teacher to be using.
    89AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:53
    "Dead ball" and "one out" use the same kanji for "death" but mean completely different things — wish they'd distinguish between the two.
    92AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:54
    Re: #89
    Let's just rename "dead ball" (死球) to "tahikyu" instead (タヒ, net slang that swaps the kanji for "death" with a softer-looking katakana spelling).
    106AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:58
    I do think "dead ball" ought to be changed for a bunch of reasons,
    but nobody's come up with a replacement that really fits.
    111AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:01
    Re: #106
    Something with a similar ring to "jidakyu" (getting hit by your own foul ball) — "itakyu" ("pain-ball") would work just fine.
    112AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:01
    Between this and the midsummer heat thing, Koshien's really getting singled out way too much.
    122AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:08
    Re: #112
    I doubt Koshien players get all that rattled by heat.
    Whenever I pass by the grounds near a local school, I see them training like maniacs in unbelievable heat.
    Their everyday practice is honestly more brutal than Koshien itself.

    They can probably handle it because they hydrate properly and sweat it out,
    but if I tried the same thing, I think I'd just die.

    Context and Talking Points Behind This Story

    Debate over heat countermeasures in high school baseball has come up repeatedly in recent years, and operational changes — revised tournament schedules, more rest days — have already been put in place. The “terminology review” making news this time is still just at the discussion stage within a single regional body, the Miyagi Prefecture High School Baseball Federation; it’s not as though operating policy for the national Koshien tournament itself has been decided. What split opinion on the thread was that the news lumped together two different things: a proposal questioning terms like “dead ball” and “steal” themselves, and safety-focused measures — a 7-inning format, moving the venue — that directly affect player wellbeing. Many pushed back hard against the former, dismissing it as “word-policing,” while for the latter plenty of posters offered concrete alternatives, like spreading games across multiple stadiums or using domed venues, and there was little real opposition to the heat countermeasures themselves. Worth noting for clarity: replacement terms like “advance-out” and “pain-ball” were jokey suggestions that came up within the thread, not something the federation is officially considering.

    *This article is compiled and summarized from the 5ch (Geisoku+) thread “[Miyagi] “Stab! Kill!” — Baseball to Review Its Violent Terms? High School Baseball Also Debating “7-Inning Format” and “Venues Other Than Koshien” for Heat Countermeasures… Yes or No?“

  • “Super Chameleon” Switch 2 Version Sparks Debate Over Mandatory Switch Online Subscription

    The Switch 2 version of “Super Chameleon,” announced and released the same day at “Nintendo Direct 2026.9.9,” requires a “Nintendo Switch Online” subscription to play online. On 5ch’s hardware/industry (Geha) board, opinions split over whether it makes sense for a title that supports cross-play via an external online service (Epic) to still require the console maker’s own paid subscription. The discussion went beyond simple pros and cons, touching on the game’s backstory of being ported to Switch 2 for mouse support and unverified reports of over 100,000 units sold on day one.

    The Switch 2 version of “Super Chameleon,” announced at “Nintendo Direct 2026.9.9” and released right after the broadcast, requires a “Nintendo Switch Online” subscription.

    Source: gamespark.jp / Original article here

    6AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:55
    Re: #4
    Wait, PS5 lets you play online in games you just buy outright, without needing PS+?!
    That's amazing!!!
    43AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:23
    Re: #6
    Did this actually come out on PS5?
    7AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:55
    Isn't the bigger issue that parental controls are mandatory instead?
    20AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:05
    Re: #7
    It's actually the opposite — you can't play WITH parental controls turned on.

    You can toggle it per game, but I don't want my kid chatting with strangers, so I wish there was a parental-controls mode that just restricts chat instead of blocking play entirely. Meanwhile "My Hero Academia Ultra Rumble" works fine even with parental controls on.
    8AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:56
    Wait, is this online-only?
    28AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:09
    Re: #8
    Well yeah, obviously lol
    55AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:33
    Re: #8
    That's pointless if you're playing solo or with someone sitting right next to you lol
    10AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:57
    Huh? It has cross-play, so isn't the developer covering the server costs?
    15AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:00
    Re: #10
    It supports Switch 2's face chat feature too, right?
    49AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:28
    Re: #10
    On the flip side, is there any non-free game with cross-play that doesn't require some platform's online service?
    12AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:58
    Sounds like Nintendo was just the first to reach out — it's not like the Chameleon side actually wanted to release it this way. There's probably some kind of exclusivity/blocking clause involved too.
    41AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:20
    Re: #12
    Sounds bitter lol — a hardware fanboy who can't even play the game
    16AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:01
    "Bad news," huh — only people clueless about how consoles work would be complaining about this.
    22AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:06
    Re: #16
    The point is that this whole pay-to-play-online setup ripping people off is the dumb part.
    21AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:05
    If it were Sony, it'd be free — heck, they probably would've given Super Chameleon away for free too.
    25AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:07
    Re: #21
    Fighting back with pure fantasy!
    27AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:08
    Everyone's already subscribed anyway.
    32AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:10
    Re: #27
    Far from "everyone's subscribed" — Nintendo Switch Online's member count has actually been plummeting.

    "The Reason Behind Nintendo Switch Online's Sharp Drop in Subscribers"
    https://news.yahoo.co.jp/expert/articles/b76cdc3c34bc85c9b8e9f74581e69f4cd2ae37e3
    36AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:13
    Yeah, local play really is needed for this.
    Cross that barrier out already!
    Whatever gets crossed off the barrier list eventually comes to Switch 2 too.
    …Ahh, not like I really need local play or anything *glances hopefully* (a meme format implying the opposite of what's said)
    37AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:14
    Re: #36
    Also, without local play you'll get flak from the Stop Killing Games crowd.
    38AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:15
    Given the whole "hiding" mechanic, doesn't that clash with local play? Also, sounds like the developer put it on Switch 2 mainly for the built-in mouse support, not because it's a handheld.
    40AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:18
    Re: #38
    Well obviously it's one console per player — do you think split-screen is the only kind of local multiplayer?
    51AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:31
    What are they gonna do about this?! This is only gonna sell like 30,000 copies!
    52AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:32
    Re: #51
    It already sold 100,000 copies in one day though.
    53AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:32
    Re: #51
    Apparently it topped 100,000 units on day one.
    62AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:39
    Can't it come to the original Switch?
    63AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:40
    Re: #62
    Apparently they made the Switch 2 version because of mouse support.

    Super Chameleon devs: "We ported it because Switch 2 supports mouse controls"
    https://krsw.5ch.io/test/read.cgi/ghard/1789039460/
    65AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:40
    Re: #62
    Sounds like they released it on Switch 2 because of the mouse feature.
    64AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:40
    Why do consoles make you pay protection money (mikajime-ryo, yakuza-style extortion fee) just to get online? I genuinely think that's messed up.
    66AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:41
    Re: #64
    It's not an internet connection fee, it's a server usage fee. You're already paying your ISP for the actual internet connection.
    67AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:42
    Re: #64
    That's probably why online gaming never took off on consoles the way it did on PC — because you're getting milked for paid online.
    69AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:45
    Re: #66
    Super Chameleon's servers run on Epic's service, so why is Nintendo the one charging money for it?
    75AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:49
    Re: #69
    So you do agree that if you're using a server, you should pay for it?
    79AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:51
    Re: #69
    It's because it uses a cross-play setup instead of connecting directly. Free online-only games that hook straight into an external server can be played on Switch without any paid subscription.
    90AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:59
    Even games like [Monster Hunter] Wilds, which use an external account (Capcom ID) and server for direct online multiplayer, still require a console online subscription — so you just have to accept that's how it works.

    And honestly, complaining about this now? That's such a predictable reaction lol
    91AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:00
    Re: #90
    I've always thought that kind of pure protection-money scheme is just wrong.
    93AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:01
    Re: #90
    So basically it's just a system for squeezing money out of users, right?

    Background and Key Points of the Discussion

    Charging a paid subscription for online play on consoles isn’t unique to Nintendo’s “Nintendo Switch Online” — Sony and Microsoft use the same general model, and this thread’s focus was on the specifics of how it applies here. The split in the thread came down to how convincing people found it that even a cross-play title running on another company’s online service and external servers still requires the platform holder’s own paid subscription on the console version. Posters pointed out that “Super Chameleon” runs on Epic’s online service, and many questioned why a subscription is still mandatory even though Nintendo isn’t the one footing the actual server costs. Others pushed back, arguing that if you’re using a server, you should pay for it — leaving opinions split on how to evaluate the console subscription model itself. Note that the claim about “NSO membership plummeting” is sourced from an article that’s two years old and doesn’t reflect the current situation, and the day-one sales figures mentioned in the thread are unverified, with no primary source given.

    *This article is compiled and summarized from a 5ch (Hardware/Industry (Geha)) thread: “[Bad News] Switch 2 Version of “Super Chameleon” Requires “Nintendo Switch Online” Subscription!“

  • Digital Agency Hacked, 246,000 Records Leaked — 5ch: ‘Guess We’re Proving We’re a Digital Backwater After All’

    The Digital Agency announced on September 11, 2026, that its network systems had been accessed by an unauthorized outside party, and that the personal information of roughly 246,000 people — including the names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers of government employees — may have been leaked. The agency says My Number data and financial account information were not included. On 5ch, threads shared information suggesting the breach was caused by the misuse of an account belonging to an outsourced contractor responsible for system maintenance, while other posters criticized the Digital Agency’s institutional setup and debated just how far the real-world damage from the leak might extend.

    The Digital Agency announced on the 11th that its network systems, including work computers it operates, had been accessed by an outside party without authorization, and that the personal information of roughly 246,000 people, including the names and addresses of government employees, may have leaked.

    The personal information that may have leaked included not only names and addresses but also email addresses and phone numbers. The agency says it does not include My Number data or bank account information.

    The Digital Agency apologized, saying, “We are truly sorry for the great trouble and concern this has caused those involved.”

    Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Read the original article

    5AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:02
    Ugh, this is gonna end up in the hands of a tokuryu gang (loosely organized, anonymous crime rings recruited via social media).
    6AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:02
    Guess we're proving we're a digital backwater all by ourselves
    58AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:25
    Re: #6
    Oh, so developed countries never get hacked?
    8AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:03
    About 246,000 government employees, huh…
    Are there even that many people working there?
    9AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:03
    Well, this is an organization where you get praised just for being able to use a smartphone.
    10AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:03
    Re: #4
    No point beefing up security — this was probably on purpose.
    16AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:05
    Pathetic. Some 'Digital Agency.' Just disband the whole thing.
    17AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:05
    Make Anno the director and let him bring in his own people.
    21AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:07
    Our Digital Agency is useless at everything except plugging and unplugging USB drives.
    22AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:07
    Put someone competent in charge, like Taiwan did.
    23AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:07
    Well, as usual, nobody's gonna take responsibility for it lol
    26AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:10
    The fact that they can even detect traces of a possible leak is pretty impressive — real progress for them.
    56AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:22
    Re: #26
    Might be the usual pattern where the US tips them off with 'hey, your data got stolen.' Didn't that happen before too?
    28AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:10
    >Personal information of roughly 246,000 people, including names and addresses of government employees, may have leaked

    Oh, this one's bad…
    29AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:10
    They got into the network and only employee info leaked? Isn't that a little too convenient?
    30AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:10
    This is what a country taken over by the mafia looks like.
    31AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:10
    Apparently it's about 90% of full-time staff. Though that number might include family members too, so the breakdown isn't clear.
    32AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:11
    The Digital Agency chief's getting fired as a scapegoat lol. There's probably a mole among the bureaucrats or something.
    33AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:12
    Well, it's a country that runs on AWS, so…
    34AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:13
    Figured this would happen eventually. My Number data's probably getting stolen too, sooner or later.
    35AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:13
    Not only useless, they're actively spreading damage around.
    38AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:14
    Replacing everyone with AI would probably work better.
    41AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:16
    Is there anything this country can actually do properly? And honestly, they've probably leaked ordinary citizens' info too.
    42AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:16
    The email leak is the worst part honestly — inbox is gonna get buried in spam.
    44AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:18
    There's no way you can trust a My Number system run by a country like this. And sure enough it went and became mandatory — this country's finished.
    45AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:18
    If a foreign power buys this up, we'll probably end up as a target when Judgment Day comes.
    47AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:18
    This info's probably gonna end up with a tokuryu gang eventually.
    50AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:21
    Guess it's better that it's not ransomware… or wait, is ransomware part of this too?
    52AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:21
    Still, thanks to the Digital Agency we got rid of paper and went digital, and they banned those dark-pattern tricks where subscription sites make it a pain to cancel by shuffling you between pages.
    54AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:22
    There was that time an LDP lawmaker at the Digital Agency didn't even know what a USB drive was — they're way too amateur for this.
    55AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:22
    Given the numbers, doesn't this mean basically every government employee in Kasumigaseki had their name and address leaked?
    Feels like this should be bigger news.
    64AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:27
    Re: #55
    If it's just bureaucrats affected, no need to make a big deal of it in the news, right? Not like it concerns regular people.
    69AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:31
    Honestly, I bet the cause is something lame like someone plugging in an infected USB drive.
    82AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:38
    Re: #69
    >Large numbers of files on the server were accessed using the account of a maintenance/operations staff member
    https://www.digital.go.jp/news/2026-0911-01

    So it was the outsourced contractor handling maintenance that leaked it.
    89AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:42
    You'd think Digital Agency staff would be full of experts from places like the National Institute of Informatics, but is it actually just a bunch of part-time 'IT construction laborers'? (slang for overworked, low-status IT grunt workers)
    93AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:46
    Re: #89
    Yeah, the contractor wet the bed on this one. Social engineering.
    110AnonymousSep 11, 2026 13:02
    Does a country like this even need an intelligence agency?

    Background and Key Points of This Topic

    The Digital Agency is a relatively new ministry established in 2021, tasked with driving the digitalization of government administration and overseeing many of the shared IT systems used across the government. As some of the replies above note, official statements indicate this leak may have resulted from the misuse of an account belonging to a contractor responsible for system maintenance — a different route from the simple ‘infected USB drive’ theory initially speculated in the thread, which is worth keeping in mind. It’s also unclear from the official announcement whether the figure of ‘246,000’ refers only to full-time employees themselves or also includes family members, and interpretations varied within the thread as well. My Number data and bank account information are said to be excluded, but this is based solely on the current official disclosure, and the scope could change as the investigation progresses — an easy point to misread.

    *This article is composed as an excerpt and summary of the 5ch (Nandemo Jikkyo G) thread “[Absolutely Tragic News] Digital Agency Hacked, About 246,000 Pieces of Personal Info Leaked lolololol.”

  • Households With Kids Average ¥8.57 Million a Year — Yet 60% Say Life Is a Struggle

    According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s “Overview of the 2025 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions,” the average income per household with children was ¥8,573,000 — ¥2,821,000 more than the all-household average of ¥5,752,000. Even so, the finding that 60% of these households still say life is a struggle sparked a stir on 5channel’s News Speed+ board. Threads filled up with talk of the cost-of-living gap between city centers and rural areas, alongside comments from couples earning over ¥20 million a year who say they can “barely manage one child,” and others earning around ¥6 million who say they’ve “never once felt like it was hard.” The discussion laid bare how what really shapes the feeling of hardship isn’t the raw income number, but how the money actually gets spent.

    For households with children, even a decent income can leave little cash on hand at the end of the month — isn’t that a common feeling? When education costs and mortgage payments overlap, it gets hard to see just how much slack is really left in the budget.

    According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s “Overview of the 2025 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions,” the average income per household with children was ¥8,573,000.

    That’s ¥2,821,000 above the all-household average of ¥5,752,000.

    Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Read the original article here

    7AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:57
    There's no way that's "a struggle," lol — are they messing with us?
    180AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:23
    Re: #7
    That's basically the same as ¥4 million back when the yen was at 80 to the dollar, so of course it's tough.
    265AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:35
    Re: #7
    In central Tokyo, that's pretty rough, honestly.
    13AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:58
    Well yeah — if you build a house, lease an Alphard (Toyota's flagship minivan, a status symbol for families) on residual-value credit, send your kids to private school, get everyone an iPhone, eat out constantly, and take a trip once a year, of course life feels tight.
    65AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:07
    Re: #13
    Just have your company buy the assets for you.
    158AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:21
    Re: #13
    The people raising kids right now are the same ones glued to social media, so they feel like they'll die if they don't keep up with everyone else.
    181AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:23
    Re: #13
    Families leasing an Alphard on residual credit aren't the ones sending their kids to private school, you know.
    18AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:00
    Ours is about ¥6 million. We're in a regional city, but we still own a house, own a car, and put two kids through university on that. What city do you have to live in where earning that much still leaves you struggling?
    31AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:02
    Re: #19
    By that math, ours is around ¥4 million, and I still haven't really felt like it's that hard.
    64AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:07
    Re: #18
    Rural areas and central Tokyo are two different worlds. We're a couple in our early 30s with household income comfortably over ¥20 million, and we're still agonizing over having even a first kid.
    143AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:17
    Rough math puts take-home pay at around ¥6 million? Yeah, that'd be tough.
    19AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:00
    Re: #1 Are they mixing up "income" and "gross salary"? Isn't it "gross salary minus deductions = income (take-home)"? If income is ¥8.57 million, wouldn't gross salary be over ¥10 million? Or am I misunderstanding this?
    34AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:02
    Re: #19
    You've got it right. A gross salary of ¥10 million? You can't even manage one kid on that, lol.

    We're at ¥25 million household income and we're only just now trying for our first.
    46AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:05
    Re: #34
    Totally get it. We're at ¥35 million household income and we're still on the fence about having kids at all.
    67AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:07
    Re: #34
    That's gotta be someone living in the "24 wards," lol (Tokyo actually only has 23 wards — a jab at how out-of-touch that sounds).
    42AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:04
    Guess you really can't have kids without money.

    What's with this "average household income of ¥8.75 million" thing anyway? You don't hit that income level unless both spouses are full-time regular employees.

    This just proves non-regular workers can't have kids.
    50AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:05
    Re: #42
    Having kids while working non-regular jobs is basically child abuse at that point, lololol. Unless your parents are loaded, that is.
    62AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:06
    Re: #42
    Since it's "income," the article's household gross salary works out to about ¥11 million.

    And even then, one kid is a no-go. It's only once household income clears ¥20 million that having even one kid starts to feel realistic.
    58AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:06
    The average income around here (on this board) is like ¥5 million. Keep the lies to a reasonable level or nobody's going to believe you.
    Then again, nobody trusts what gets posted here in the first place.
    82AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:09
    Re: #58
    At big Tokyo companies, second-year new hires easily clear ¥7.5 million. If that kind of couple moves in together and marries, household income of ¥18 million by age 28 is totally common.

    Looking at my university friends, this is just normal these days.


    91AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:10
    Re: #82
    The average age on this board is over 50 — there's no way young people are posting here. This is the Ice Age generation (Japan's "employment ice age" cohort who graduated into a brutal job market).
    112AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:13
    Re: #82
    Well, only a handful of people actually land jobs at big city-center companies. And raising the kind of high-achieving kid who can pull that off takes money.

    They really do call it "parent gacha" (the idea that which parents you're born to is a random draw that decides your life) for a reason.
    59AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:06
    I'm 47, only a high school diploma, no work history, and make ¥2.1 million a year — I can still turn my life around, right?
    89AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:10
    Re: #59
    As long as you've got the will to do it.
    71AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:08
    We've made ¥6.5 million since we had our two kids and never once felt like it was a struggle.
    You just live within your means.
    Even without much money, you can still live happily.
    88AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:09
    Re: #71
    Bragging about being poor is just sad, cut it out.
    Feel sorry for the kids.
    98AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:11
    Re: #88
    After switching jobs and getting promoted I'm at ¥11 million now, but my lifestyle hasn't changed at all from when I made ¥6.5 million.
    You don't need much money to be happy.
    113AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:13
    Re: #98
    How old are you?
    I live in Tokyo, I'm 30, and I make ¥14 million.
    Major energy company, TOPIX 100.

    Don't tell me you're in your 40s or older?
    93AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:10
    Kids are nothing but risk, honestly.
    People aren't thinking about what happens if the kid has a developmental issue, stops going to school, or becomes a hikikomori (a shut-in who withdraws from society).
    This country is mass-producing shut-ins.
    245AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:32
    Re: #93
    It's almost entirely determined by genetics.
    Some people are just high-risk and some are low-risk.
    260AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:34
    Re: #93
    Makes you wonder why it's actually increasing these days.
    Selection pressure is getting stronger, so you'd think it would naturally be decreasing instead.
    127AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:14
    So what kind of lifestyle would actually NOT feel like a struggle?
    148AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:19
    Re: #127
    Both kids go to private school,
    you keep two safe-choice cars — a Crown and an Alphard —
    the wife works a part-time job for fun earning ¥70,000 a month and keeps all of it as her own spending money,
    the family eats out somewhere non-chain every week,
    and you take economy-class overseas trips for Golden Week, Obon, and New Year's.

    Apparently you can pull all that off on a household income of around ¥25 million.
    155AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:20
    Re: #127
    Having two kids, being able to eat out on weekends, take one family trip a year, build a new home in the greater Tokyo area, buy a new car every five years, put your kids through the private middle-school entrance exam gauntlet, and get them into a private science/engineering university program.
    173AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:22
    Re: #127
    Man, I just want to eat some sashimi…
    216AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:28
    We're at ¥6 million with a stay-at-home wife, two kids, living in Saitama, and we're not struggling that much.
    What are the people who say it's tough actually spending their money on?
    Are both of them hitting the pachinko parlor together or something?
    219AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:28
    Re: #216
    I have known couples where both drink and smoke and then complain they have no money.
    222AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:29
    Re: #216
    At least let your kids sit the middle-school entrance exams.
    224AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:29
    Re: #216
    It's the whole exam-prep obsession, isn't it.
    The world is changing, but people are still clinging to academic credentials.
    Going forward, alumni networks might still matter, but the credential itself won't count for much.

    Background and Key Points of This Discussion

    This figure comes from the average in the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s annual Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions, and it’s worth noting that averages like this can be skewed upward by a small number of high-income households. As pointed out in the thread, the “income” referenced here is closer to gross total income before tax and social insurance deductions — it is not take-home pay. That means it isn’t accurate to simply read “¥8.57 million in income” as “comfortable living,” since for households raising children with overlapping education costs and mortgage payments, the statistical figure and the lived experience can diverge sharply. Where opinions split in the thread was over how, even at the same income level, the feeling of “struggling” can vary enormously depending on where you live and how you allocate your spending — comments comparing the high cost of city living against life in rural areas came up again and again. It’s also easy to overlook that, being an average rather than a median, this number may be pulled upward by high-income households.

    *This article is compiled and summarized from the 5channel (News Speed+) thread “👦👧 Average income for households with children is ¥8.573 million, yet 60% say “life is a struggle”.”

  • Analysis Claims Switch 2’s VRR Outperforms PS5, Sparks Debate on 5ch

    Overseas media reported an analysis claiming that the Nintendo Switch 2’s VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) performance surpasses the PS5, sparking discussion on 5ch’s “Hardware/Industry (Geha)” board. VRR is a feature that smooths out stutter when frame rates fluctuate, and the PS5 only gained support for it via a post-launch update. The thread argued over whether the Switch 2’s VRR support is on par with Xbox’s, which spiraled into a separate debate over whether AMD or NVIDIA chips are superior. Opinions split further after someone pointed out that GTA6 is expected to run at 30fps, raising doubts about whether the feature would even provide any benefit.

    1AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:42
    PS5 just lost 😭
    16AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:46
    So basically GTA6 at 30fps is gonna be choppy?
    26AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:48
    Re: #16
    Whoa, yeah it is.
    What was it again — doesn't it get choppy without VRR kicking in? All that trash-talk cuts both ways!
    42AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:52
    PS5 is like a 7-year-old machine at this point, so it can't be helped
    47AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:53
    Re: #42
    But Xbox is from the same era and it supports it fine…
    53AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:54
    Doesn't this make Sony look stupid for spending all that time implementing an inferior version of the feature?
    55AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:55
    Re: #53
    Well, they're idiots, so of course they made it a weird spec.
    Not wrong.
    61AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:56
    Honestly, it'd be better if VRR never even needed to kick in, right?
    65AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:58
    Re: #61
    But isn't VRR what makes GTA6 more enjoyable?
    Oh wait, it's 30fps, so no benefit there.
    64AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:57
    There are barely any games hitting 60fps anyway, so it's irrelevant.
    On Switch, 30-40fps is basically the standard.
    86AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:06
    Re: #64
    Isn't the point that it helps in that range too?
    107AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:13
    Re: #64
    Why are "sokuhou" posters (news-aggregator-site regulars) always so good at self-owns?
    109AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:14
    Re: #64
    GTA6 be like, "Fair enough."
    72AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:01
    It's inferior because it's a loser console stuck with AMD instead of NVIDIA.
    80AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:03
    Re: #72
    Yeah, that's the GPU brand nobody would ever choose.
    97AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:09
    Performance:
    PS5 > Xbox >>> Switch 2

    Limited to VRR:
    Xbox = Switch 2 > PS5

    Conclusion:
    PS5 > Xbox >>> Switch 2
    103AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:11
    Re: #97
    Meanwhile in reality it looks more like a "Drag-You-Down Station" (a dig at "PlayStation").
    120AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:18
    Re: #97
    Let's rank the CPUs too while we're at it.
    105AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:12
    Re: #86
    For example, if you're running at 60fps and it suddenly drops to 40, you feel the stutter.
    VRR is what makes that less noticeable.
    It has nothing to do with just running at 30-40fps.
    123AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:19
    Re: #105
    That's exactly why Re: #1 brought up LFC (Low Framerate Compensation) too, no?
    111AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:14
    Well, PS5's VRR was originally called "fake VRR" anyway.
    112AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:15
    Re: #111
    Turns out it's still fake VRR even now.
    113AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:15
    On the flip side, why would you think AMD is better than NVIDIA?
    And that's even though it's a pretty old chip, even for a desktop part.
    117AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:17
    Re: #113
    There's never been a time AMD was better than Nvidia.
    Every time they look like they might catch up, Nvidia just pulls away again.
    115AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:16
    Is VRR some complicated tech?
    PS5 got it added later too, right?
    138AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:26
    Re: #115
    It's not that big a deal, honestly.
    You could even say retro hardware was all "VRR" in its own way.
    Modern consoles have gotten more PC-like compared to the old days, so this kind of mechanism is becoming necessary.
    118AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:17
    I don't really get what VRR is — does it just mean things feel smoother than before?
    121AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:18
    Re: #118
    Roughly speaking, it's a feature that reduces stutter when the frame rate drops under load.
    126AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:20
    Re: #118
    Nope.
    It's more like the stutter gets suppressed during frame drops.
    The stutter doesn't disappear completely, and it's not like the fps goes up or gets interpolated.
    132AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:21
    Hold on a second.
    The Switch 2 is a handheld that uses a measly 20W lol.

    There's no way a home console pulling 300W and calling itself "8K" would lose to that.
    137AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:25
    So what's Mr. Choppy-30fps-GTA gonna do about this?
    146AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:30
    Re: #137
    PS5's fake VRR requires 48FPS, so it has zero effect lol.
    Oh, and if it's 30FPS to begin with, it doesn't even reach the 40FPS that "true" VRR requires either lol — irrelevant either way lol.
    141AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:28
    These people probably don't even know VRR doesn't function at 30fps to begin with.
    150AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:32
    Re: #141
    So basically, GTA6 is going to be choppy AND blurry, huh?
    149AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:31
    Strictly speaking, LFC is a state where VRR isn't actually engaged — so what's this "true VRR" nonsense?
    Way too dumb.
    152AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:32
    Re: #149
    Uh, I'm talking about the 40-60FPS range that HDMI requires, nothing to do with the Switch 2 specifically.
    Oh, and just to be clear since you seemed confused — I don't mean an actual microwave ("range" pun on the Japanese word for both).
    160AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:38
    This just makes me even more hyped for Stellar Blade.
    170AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:45
    Re: #160
    Using FSR frame generation to push 30fps up to 60fps is straight-up insane.
    It's obviously going to fall apart into a blurry mess.
    167AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:44
    Why does this need support on the software side? Shouldn't the OS just handle it automatically?
    172AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:45
    Re: #167
    Ask Nintendo about that one.
    On PS5, the system itself handles it.

    Background and Key Points of This Debate

    The PS5 only gained VRR support via an update released years after launch, and due to the narrow range it covers, it’s sometimes called “fake VRR.” VRR is a mechanism for reducing stutter when frame rates fluctuate — it’s not a measure of power consumption or raw processing performance — so the thread’s reaction that “there’s no way a 20W handheld beats a 300W-class home console” conflates VRR’s technical meaning with processing power. There’s also technology like LFC (Low Framerate Compensation), which produces a pseudo-VRR effect even outside the normal VRR range, and differing opinions on where “true VRR” ends are part of what fueled the circular argument in the thread. It’s also worth noting that the underlying report is an analysis from overseas media, and the specific figures and refresh-rate ranges were not independently verified within the thread itself.

    *This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Hardware/Industry [Geha]) thread “DF: “Switch 2’s VRR completely surpasses PS5 😆”.”

  • Yokozuna Hoshoryu Out From Day One of Autumn Tournament — Recovery From Knee Surgery Behind Schedule

    At a bout-scheduling meeting held on the 11th for the Grand Sumo Autumn Tournament (opening day the 13th, at Ryogoku Kokugikan), it was decided that Yokozuna Hoshoryu (27, Tatsunami stable) will sit out both day one and day two. He underwent surgery on his right knee in late July, and his recovery hasn’t caught up in time. This marks his 10th absence over three consecutive tournaments, and his 5th absence in the 10 tournaments since his promotion to yokozuna — reportedly the first time he’s missed an entire tournament from day one since his professional debut in 2018. On 5ch, threads were split between voices saying “maybe it’s time to retire” and others questioning the very criteria used to promote him from ozeki to yokozuna in the first place.

    Published 9/11 (Fri) 9:41 AM

    Sports Hochi

    The Japan Sumo Association held its bout-scheduling meeting on the 11th at Ryogoku Kokugikan for the Grand Sumo Autumn Tournament (opening day the 13th, in Ryogoku, Tokyo), setting bouts through day two. Yokozuna Hoshoryu (27, Tatsunami stable), who had surgery on his right knee in late July, will not compete on day one or day two, confirming his withdrawal. This is Hoshoryu’s 10th absence across three consecutive tournaments, and his 5th in the 10 tournaments since becoming yokozuna. It’s the first time he’s been out from day one since his professional debut at the 2018 New Year Tournament.

    Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Original article here

    3AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:14
    Three tournaments in a row now, huh — is retirement finally on the table?
    6AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:16
    Doesn't look like he's winning another title as yokozuna at this rate.
    90AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:22
    Re: #6
    Officially the weakest yokozuna ever!
    7AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:17
    The Kyushu tournament is going to be make-or-break for him. If he's got 3 losses by the halfway mark, he should retire.
    8AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:17
    He probably just wants one title as yokozuna before it's over, so he's not going to push it now.
    9AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:18
    Who'd have thought a yokozuna could fall this far.
    12AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:19
    Re: #9
    He's really only ozeki-level talent, but they forced the promotion through so they'd have a yokozuna ring-entering ceremony to show off on the London tour.

    Hoshoryu's basically a victim of the Association here too.
    26AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:26
    Re: #9
    He was never consistent to begin with — promoting him to yokozuna anyway was just asking for trouble.
    38AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:37
    Re: #9
    After Hakuho retired, the Association panicked about having no yokozuna at all, so they just made Hoshoryu (then an ozeki) a yokozuna the moment he won a title.
    13AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:20
    Still, he's been a mess ever since becoming yokozuna.
    Though promoting him in the first place was the real mistake.
    14AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:20
    Gets paid even when he's out hurt!
    Sumo wrestling really is a strange line of work.
    15AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:20
    Injury withdrawals have really shot up since sumo got more competitive/serious.
    Honestly there are just too many tournaments a year.
    27AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:26
    Re: #15
    I mean, if a normal person fell off the ring (dohyo), they could seriously die.
    Just turn the area below the ring into a pool — the front-row seats already get "splashed" (mizukaburi-seki) anyway!
    16AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:20
    Heard that for knee trouble, just taking chondroitin and glucosamine would fix it.
    So I skipped the doctor and only took those.
    Turned out it was too late by the time I got checked out.
    17AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:21
    Re: #16
    Glucosamine is just a health supplement, not medicine.
    19AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:22
    This is what happens when you force a promotion. He'd lost 3 times to rank-and-file wrestlers — he never should've been promoted.
    20AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:23
    Guess it just means nobody knows who he is, so nobody cares.
    30AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:29
    Well, he should get that knee properly fixed.
    Say what you want, but even while Onosato was struggling, Hoshoryu kept wrestling like a real yokozuna (even without winning titles).
    So I think he's earned some rest now.
    Onosato, meanwhile, needs to start producing results already.
    32AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:30
    Re: #30
    Onosato has won a title though — he is producing results.
    36AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:36
    The Tatsunami stable's curse continues — a tradition of chaos going back to Kitao (Futahaguro, the yokozuna infamously expelled from sumo).
    78AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:06
    Re: #36
    Same here.
    Tatsunami stable sure keeps giving the public plenty to talk about.
    40AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:38
    Why does the whole crowd smile whenever Hoshoryu loses?
    54AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:46
    Re: #40
    He's a good guy off the dohyo,
    but he's always got a scowl on during his bouts.
    Still, he gives it everything, so I like him.
    44AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:40
    Nothing good has happened since Hakkaku took over (as Sumo Association chairman).
    68AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:56
    Re: #44
    Can't really complain, the seats still sell out.
    Why not criticize the fans instead?
    47AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:41
    For a second I read that as "breast augmentation surgery" (a pun on his name, 豊胸手術/hokyou shujutsu).
    51AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:44
    Re: #47
    Same, I misread it that way too for a second.
    48AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:41
    He was only promoted to yokozuna to make the London tour look good.
    Hakkaku needs to take responsibility for this.
    94AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:30
    Re: #48
    We just respected the judgment of the esteemed experts on the Yokozuna Deliberation Council, that's all…
    56AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:47
    Maybe yokozuna should be a rank you can get demoted from.
    Or at least raise the bar for promotion.
    63AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:52
    Re: #56
    In Hoshoryu's case, the Association just lowered the promotion standards for the sake of the London tour, so…
    72AnonymousSep 11, 2026 11:58
    Does the Sumo Association really think you bounce back from knee surgery that easily?
    79AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:07
    Re: #72
    There's that toxic old culture of "heal your ring injuries on the ring."
    We're not in that era anymore — he should just take his time and properly recover.
    74AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:00
    There are six tournaments a year, and a yokozuna who can't win even one of them should be demoted back to ozeki.
    96AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:33
    Re: #74
    Have you forgotten about the great Yokozuna Hakuho, who basically made a habit of sitting out tournaments?
    82AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:15
    Back when Hakuho was around as sumo's clear-cut heel/villain, wasn't the sport actually pretty exciting?
    86AnonymousSep 11, 2026 12:17
    Re: #82
    Less a heel, more that he just kept showing up and somehow kept winning no matter what.
    I bet the Association never realized how rare it is to have someone both strong AND durable until he was gone.

    Background and Key Points of Debate

    Hoshoryu was promoted to yokozuna after winning a title following the 2025 New Year Tournament, but he’s been sidelined frequently since then — sitting out 5 of the 10 tournaments he’s held the rank, including the last three in a row. Threads repeatedly floated the theory that the Association loosened its promotion criteria to avoid having no yokozuna on hand for the London tour, but it’s worth noting this is speculation from 5ch users, not something the Association has officially acknowledged. The fact that this is his first full withdrawal from day one since his 2018 professional debut was also cited as evidence of just how serious the situation is. The debate split mainly into two camps: those treating the frequent absences as grounds for “retirement talk,” and those defending him, arguing he should rest properly to heal his knee — with some pointing to Hakuho, who also missed plenty of tournaments yet still held the yokozuna rank for years, as a precedent.

    *This article is compiled as an excerpt/summary of the 5ch (Geinou Sports Express+) thread “[Sumo] Yokozuna Hoshoryu Out From Day One of Autumn Tournament — Recovery From Knee Surgery Behind Schedule, a Painful Decision.”

  • Awake for 36 Hours, Slept Just 1: Viewers Say Short-Sleeper Streamer Might Be “the Real Deal”

    A thread appeared on 5ch’s livestream-commentary board reporting that a streamer who claims to be a “short sleeper” had stayed awake for over 36 hours, sleeping a total of just one hour during that span. The result reportedly followed a declaration of “I won’t sleep on day two” after viewers accused the streamer of dozing off during a treatment the day before. While some in the thread called it “the real deal,” others raised a definitional objection — “isn’t being a short sleeper about needing less sleep per session, not about refusing to sleep at all?” — and pointed to past streaming stunts where people stayed awake for over a week, leaving the thread divided over what would actually count as "proof."

    1AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:20
    Over 36 hours in and the total actual sleep is just 1 hour.
    Yesterday during a head-spa treatment, haters said "you totally dozed off! (for 30 min)" so they declared they wouldn't sleep on day two.
    This person's the real deal.
    2AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:21
    They're still totally fine right now.
    The cosmetic surgeon and YouTubers who doubted them owe an apology.
    34AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:36
    Re: #2
    Doubting them was reasonable, so there's no need for an apology, is there

    Even if it's genuine, it's such a rare case you can't really judge it by normal standards.
    3AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:21
    What about that leak saying they normally sleep 7 hours?
    5AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:23
    Re: #3
    Apparently the doctor misread "1 hour" as "7 hours."
    4AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:22
    Haters: "Aren't they just sleeping during those 6 baths a day?"

    → Responded by streaming in a swimsuit in the bath, showing everything

    Unstoppable.
    75AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:56
    Re: #4
    A swimsuit stream, for real?
    I want to see it.
    6AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:24
    Did you guys get played for free promo again?
    9AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:24
    They're doing totally fine, as usual.
    This person's the real deal.
    11AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:25
    Is it that they can't sleep, or that they won't sleep? Which is it?
    12AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:25
    I dozed off myself during that ridiculously long bath scene — did this person pull an all-nighter yesterday?
    13AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:26
    This is basically proof it's a genuine rare physical trait.
    27AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:30
    Re: #13
    But that's not being a short sleeper.
    They're just refusing to sleep.
    45AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:41
    Re: #13
    That would be a problem for Hori (the streamer, aka Hori Daisuke, referenced later in the thread)
    It has to be framed as a skill anyone can pick up.
    14AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:26
    Even a random corporate slave or a college student could manage like 3 days of this.
    15AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:26
    People are joking that they "totally slept," but sleeping is sleeping, right?
    16AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:26
    "Short sleeper" refers to how long each individual sleep session is —
    isn't not sleeping at all just insomnia?
    23AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:29
    Even this still loses to Akino Housoukyoku, who once beat every Dragon Quest game back to back without sleeping.
    31AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:35
    Re: #23
    The other guy who did a no-sleep Dragon Quest stream (not Akino) stayed awake for hundreds of hours.
    A full week without sleep is way more impressive than short-sleeper Hori Daisuke.
    36AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:38
    Re: #31
    Then again, sleeping just 30 minutes a day, every day, seems impressive in its own way.
    Once you fall asleep, you can't wake back up, right?
    57AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:48
    Re: #36
    During his no-sleep trip, Miyakawa Taisei refused to nap too, saying "if I nap, I won't be able to wake up again."
    51AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:46
    Going 2 days without sleep is doable if you push yourself.
    Past that, something starts going wrong lol
    53AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:47
    Re: #51
    There was a foreign streamer who played Zelda nonstop and didn't sleep for a week.
    58AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:48

    Uh oh…
    63AnonymousSep 11, 2026 09:49
    Re: #58
    Even just 4 hours without sleep is already pretty rough, honestly.
    90AnonymousSep 11, 2026 10:01
    I heard the stream keeps cutting out here and there — what's up with that?
    92AnonymousSep 11, 2026 10:02
    Re: #90
    It's just brief lag-related freezes.
    It doesn't stop for minutes at a time.
    96AnonymousSep 11, 2026 10:03
    Hori Daisuke's even written a book on this, so keep an eye on the eating streams too.
    98AnonymousSep 11, 2026 10:04
    Lol, Professor Yanagisawa — Hori Daisuke's rival — just won a Lasker Award.
    https://x.com/d_holi/status/1744996392064692562?s=46&t=D3iLJzANXts4VS1o9hT-0g
    102AnonymousSep 11, 2026 10:05
    Re: #98
    Sorry, but that's just way too obvious.
    106AnonymousSep 11, 2026 10:06
    Re: #98
    He was on Hodo Station (a Japanese evening news program) yesterday making fun of Hori.
    105AnonymousSep 11, 2026 10:06
    I believe they're really not sleeping, but I think they should use that extra time productively, like Edison or Osamu Tezuka did.
    110AnonymousSep 11, 2026 10:07
    Re: #105
    Huh? They're taking baths, though.
    121AnonymousSep 11, 2026 10:11
    Did this person even explain why they take so many baths in the first place?
    If the whole point of short sleeping is having more waking hours, spending all that time bathing kind of defeats the purpose, doesn't it?
    125AnonymousSep 11, 2026 10:13
    Re: #121
    Apparently they're worried about body odor.
    135AnonymousSep 11, 2026 10:18
    Re: #121
    Re: #125
    What, like Shizuka-chan? (the famously bath-loving character from Doraemon)

    Background and Points of Debate

    Medically speaking, “short sleeper” describes a physical trait in which someone experiences little to no impairment despite short individual sleep sessions — it’s technically a different concept from deliberately staying awake. As noted in the thread, it’s well known that the longer sleep deprivation continues, the more cognitive functions like judgment tend to decline, and there have been past streaming stunts built around staying awake for extended stretches that drew attention. Whether this particular case stems from a genuine physical trait or is simply an endurance stunt is hard to determine from the stream alone, and it’s worth noting that the thread never reached a consensus, staying split between those who considered it “proof” and those who argued the definition doesn’t even apply in the first place.

    ※This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Nandemo Jikkyo G) thread “[Good News] The Short-Sleeper Person Seems to Be the Real Deal After All.”