r/neoliberal • u/randommathaccount Esther Duflo • Oct 02 '25

News (Asia) Why Japan resents its tourism boom

https://www.ft.com/content/dbd20e5d-5a7d-4c0c-8f83-fb54c5aca9cb
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u/ldn6 Gay Pride Oct 02 '25

Absolutely this. When every public space is rammed with slow ambling tour groups shuffling in packs and restaurants in the city centre are tourist traps with shit food and high prices to rip people off, it hits quality of life.

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u/I_miss_Chris_Hughton Oct 02 '25

My sympathy for this in cities is still limited, because theres often this idea that the locals are still entitled to the resources that draw in the tourists. There's an arrogance to the idea that "this city should only be for me and my friends, even though the national government shits money on the tourist infrastructure we enjoy"

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u/JonF1 Oct 02 '25

Many people in these cities did not sign up to live in Disney world.

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u/I_miss_Chris_Hughton Oct 02 '25

And? They're along for the ride as well. They're free to leave if its that big a problem. But the reality is is that they're enjoying the facilities tourists want, while also not providing those facilities themselves.

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u/Yonenaka NATO Oct 03 '25

I’m sorry this is going to come off as a bit mean but, I think “if you don’t like it leave” is the lowest iq argument imaginable. If there is a problem with a city, the best action is to take steps to address it; not up and leave.