Originally Posted by RichardInSF

I think locals underestimate the huge societal cost imposed on Japan by its banking system.

For decades now, every resident of Japan has been royally screwed by these banks, who charge not twice as much as in every other country, but at least ten times as much. And, in a culture where service is highly valued, in return for those ridiculous fees, the banks provide absolutely abysmal service. It's a huge drain on the entire economy, one that could easily be set right.

Yet Japanese put up with it even though it would be readily fixable. Why? Maybe because the banks are good at paying off the government. Simple reforms here would go a long way towards changing the country as a whole.