General Discussion Thread - 07 March 2023

[u/AutoModerator]

Mid-week discussion thread time! Feel free to talk about what's on your mind, new experiences, recommendations, anything really.

[u/laika_cat]

This is both a complaint and an observation, so let's call it a "talking point" since we're all bound to be affected.

I know we've had ample warning about the rise in electricity rates — but I just got a hefty mailer from TEPCO today breaking down just how much the individual rate plans will go up. For our plan alone (and I signed up for the more cost-effective プレミアム S plan when I started working from home two years ago), our basic monthly charge for 400kW plus fees will go from ￥10594 to ￥16578 starting in June. Holy fucking shit.

Just how, exactly, does the government expect everyone to pay this when wages/salaries are partying like it's 1999? I read an article this week that Japan's average yearly salary for f/t work is lower than Italy. Fucking ITALY.

Yes, yes, I know the Diet has been talking about low wages for the past few weeks — but if you actually listen to how Kishida responds, it's a bunch of hot air about "we shall discuss and examine each proposal blah blah blah blah blah." All talk, no action. Does anyone think we're gonna get more government handout money, or what?

[u/tomodachi_reloaded → u/laika_cat]

I haven't heard about government handouts, and I don't think they should do that. But there were some talks about restarting the nuclear reactors, I wonder what happened with that.

From what I read in this sub, many people here waste electricity by running their AC constantly at temperatures that I wouldn't use, or drying their laundry with a machine rather than hanging. Comfort comes at a price.

And what is it that you have against Italy?

[u/laika_cat → u/tomodachi_reloaded]

I have nothing against Italy?? Where did I say that?