Hiroyuki vs. Yoichi Takahashi: The Online ‘Yen Depreciation Battle’ Reveals the Hardships of Ordinary People

However, he also agreed with Hiroyuki’s point that even if wages are increased, they won’t keep up with rising energy and living costs. The real wages adjusted for inflation have been in decline for 25 consecutive months, the longest streak in history. Low-income earners and pensioners who haven’t seen income increases are struggling. Takahashi has also suggested in another article that the benefits of a weak yen should be returned to the people.

Economic commentator Takaki Mitsuhashi also wrote on his blog on June 4.

“To enjoy the benefits of a weak yen, increase domestic investment, and mitigate the adverse effects of rising prices on citizens’ lives through ‘fiscal policy’ would be ideal. 

Specifically, this means abolishing the consumption tax, gasoline tax, and renewable energy surcharge. In essence, the government should bear the burden of price increases.”

In summary, the government, which has collected over 70 trillion yen in tax revenue for two consecutive years—surpassing even the bubble period—under the Kishida administration, which is often mocked as tax-increasing glasses, is causing hardship for ordinary people by imposing excessive burdens.

Even Ryuichi Yoneyama of the Constitutional Democratic Party, a nemesis of Hiroyuki, has come to Hiroyuki’s aid, stating:

“Hiroyuki is correct.”

However, opinions on social media reflect a more urgent concern:

“It doesn’t matter who is right. If you know what the solution is, please implement reforms that improve the future for citizens. If experts and politicians can’t do that, they’re pointless.”

“People aren’t living with macroeconomic awareness. Tonight’s dinner—what should I make? The prices are so high. I’ll skip buying it, this is the daily reality.”

Despite differing approaches, it seems that both Hiroyuki and Takahashi share the common view that the current burden on citizens is significant. If the government’s inaction continues, it will be ordinary people who suffer the most.