Gearoid Reidy リーディー・ガロウド
@gearoidreidy.bsky.social
Bloomberg Opinion columnist on Japan/the Koreas. “Final Boss of the Japan finance bro dungeon.” ｊａｐａｎｉｆｉｃａｔｉｏｎ. Retweets ≠ endorsements, opinions are mine.
The Switch also benefited directly from the Wii U’s failure. By abandoning Wii U early, Nintendo was able to move or port games to Switch -- Mario Kart 8, Breath of the Wild, and other hits began on Wii U. Given Switch's success, it can’t easily play that card again.
March 31, 2025 at 4:08 AM
The Switch also benefited directly from the Wii U’s failure. By abandoning Wii U early, Nintendo was able to move or port games to Switch -- Mario Kart 8, Breath of the Wild, and other hits began on Wii U. Given Switch's success, it can’t easily play that card again.
With the Switch, Nintendo merged its console and handheld lines. That eased past software droughts and helped turn it into a bestseller. But this also meant putting all its eggs in one basket. Despite success in movies and theme parks, Nintendo is still reliant on consoles.
March 31, 2025 at 4:08 AM
With the Switch, Nintendo merged its console and handheld lines. That eased past software droughts and helped turn it into a bestseller. But this also meant putting all its eggs in one basket. Despite success in movies and theme parks, Nintendo is still reliant on consoles.
Because before the Switch, Nintendo had a more diversified platform line-up: consoles and handhelds, typically released in staggered phases. That meant if one machine didn’t set the world on fire, another could make up for it.
March 31, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Because before the Switch, Nintendo had a more diversified platform line-up: consoles and handhelds, typically released in staggered phases. That meant if one machine didn’t set the world on fire, another could make up for it.
Gamers are hyped for the Switch 2 launch details right now, but remember that Nintendo hasn’t always got these things right. Think back to the Wii U—a follow-up to a smash hit that ended in disaster. That's a familiar pattern for Nintendo that it has to end.
March 31, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Gamers are hyped for the Switch 2 launch details right now, but remember that Nintendo hasn’t always got these things right. Think back to the Wii U—a follow-up to a smash hit that ended in disaster. That's a familiar pattern for Nintendo that it has to end.
Since no one reads things on the internet, let me preface: my base case scenario isn’t that Switch 2 will be a failure. But Nintendo does face a concentration risk. Unlike its rivals, the company is unusually dependent on one product. It needs Switch 2 to be a hit.
March 31, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Since no one reads things on the internet, let me preface: my base case scenario isn’t that Switch 2 will be a failure. But Nintendo does face a concentration risk. Unlike its rivals, the company is unusually dependent on one product. It needs Switch 2 to be a hit.
"Anthony Mackie feels right at home wielding the Captain’s protective shield and metallic wings"
February 26, 2025 at 6:50 AM
"Anthony Mackie feels right at home wielding the Captain’s protective shield and metallic wings"
It’s official: Japan saw more tourists in 2024 than ever before.
36.9 million foreigners visited Japanese shores, almost 16% above the pre-Covid record in 2019.
36.9 million foreigners visited Japanese shores, almost 16% above the pre-Covid record in 2019.
January 15, 2025 at 7:40 AM
It’s official: Japan saw more tourists in 2024 than ever before.
36.9 million foreigners visited Japanese shores, almost 16% above the pre-Covid record in 2019.
36.9 million foreigners visited Japanese shores, almost 16% above the pre-Covid record in 2019.
In conclusion: change bad, it was nicer without the foreigners, how dare Tokyo attract foreign investment or seek to rebuild dilapidated areas, etc.
January 15, 2025 at 3:10 AM
In conclusion: change bad, it was nicer without the foreigners, how dare Tokyo attract foreign investment or seek to rebuild dilapidated areas, etc.
Tourist numbers pre-Covid peak came in 2019, when the yen was 100-105 to the dollar. It didn’t put any tourists off, and tourism is not the reason the yen is weak (indeed the suggestion that Japan is keeping the yen low is entirely off base.)
January 15, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Tourist numbers pre-Covid peak came in 2019, when the yen was 100-105 to the dollar. It didn’t put any tourists off, and tourism is not the reason the yen is weak (indeed the suggestion that Japan is keeping the yen low is entirely off base.)
I have absolutely no idea what this means. Who is getting expelled? Leaving Tokyo for the hinterlands became a big thing during Covid as those could remotely work and enjoyed the quiet life decided to stretch their legs.
January 15, 2025 at 3:10 AM
I have absolutely no idea what this means. Who is getting expelled? Leaving Tokyo for the hinterlands became a big thing during Covid as those could remotely work and enjoyed the quiet life decided to stretch their legs.
Another recurring theme seems to be disillusionment that tourists don’t want to hear about why old neighborhoods being gentrified is a bad thing (maybe listen to that instinct)
January 15, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Another recurring theme seems to be disillusionment that tourists don’t want to hear about why old neighborhoods being gentrified is a bad thing (maybe listen to that instinct)
A repeated theme seems to be the idea that the government and/or big business is seeking to entice foreigners into the country, leading to a decline in the local population, which has the situation almost entirely backward.
January 15, 2025 at 3:10 AM
A repeated theme seems to be the idea that the government and/or big business is seeking to entice foreigners into the country, leading to a decline in the local population, which has the situation almost entirely backward.
To address some specific points: ah yes the public housing and fast trains that are no longer available in Japan, said no one ever.
January 15, 2025 at 3:10 AM
To address some specific points: ah yes the public housing and fast trains that are no longer available in Japan, said no one ever.
No cliche is left unturned: a slight inconvenience today is likened to wartime belt-tightening. Did you know some stores sell pornography?! Or that there were war criminals in the halls of power? And yes, who could resist the fax machine and floppy disk reference.
January 15, 2025 at 3:10 AM
No cliche is left unturned: a slight inconvenience today is likened to wartime belt-tightening. Did you know some stores sell pornography?! Or that there were war criminals in the halls of power? And yes, who could resist the fax machine and floppy disk reference.
Insofar as I can parse it, this seems to be latest in the series of takes that seem to be a wistful longing for a Japan of the author’s imagination that existed before or shortly after arriving. For some reason (usually “the government!”), life is harder now.
Many such cases.
Many such cases.
January 15, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Insofar as I can parse it, this seems to be latest in the series of takes that seem to be a wistful longing for a Japan of the author’s imagination that existed before or shortly after arriving. For some reason (usually “the government!”), life is harder now.
Many such cases.
Many such cases.
Trust the Asahi to look at the housing crisis gripping many western nations and think “Yep, that’s something we need to bring over here.”
The market is responding to what people want, which is new homes built to modern standards, near cities and public transport, something most akiya are not
The market is responding to what people want, which is new homes built to modern standards, near cities and public transport, something most akiya are not
January 3, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Trust the Asahi to look at the housing crisis gripping many western nations and think “Yep, that’s something we need to bring over here.”
The market is responding to what people want, which is new homes built to modern standards, near cities and public transport, something most akiya are not
The market is responding to what people want, which is new homes built to modern standards, near cities and public transport, something most akiya are not
Meanwhile, Japan’s current prime minister: meh, I can always meet the President-elect in February? What’s the rush?
x.com/GearoidReidy...
x.com/GearoidReidy...
January 3, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Meanwhile, Japan’s current prime minister: meh, I can always meet the President-elect in February? What’s the rush?
x.com/GearoidReidy...
x.com/GearoidReidy...
None of this is true. Some of it was true maybe 30 years ago, but even then.
Yes, Japan, the land where people famously don’t buy new electronic conveniences.
Yes, Japan, the land where people famously don’t buy new electronic conveniences.
December 25, 2024 at 4:04 AM
None of this is true. Some of it was true maybe 30 years ago, but even then.
Yes, Japan, the land where people famously don’t buy new electronic conveniences.
Yes, Japan, the land where people famously don’t buy new electronic conveniences.
Sony buying Kadokawa is official, but not what we expected -- Sony will raise its stake in the owner of Elden Ring maker FromSoftware to 10% (from 2%), but won't buy any more than that.
The two firms will collaborate on expanding Kadokawa's IP.
The two firms will collaborate on expanding Kadokawa's IP.
December 19, 2024 at 7:49 AM
Sony buying Kadokawa is official, but not what we expected -- Sony will raise its stake in the owner of Elden Ring maker FromSoftware to 10% (from 2%), but won't buy any more than that.
The two firms will collaborate on expanding Kadokawa's IP.
The two firms will collaborate on expanding Kadokawa's IP.
Japan's Kanji of the Year is AGAIN 金, meaning gold.
It's the fifth time for 金 to be chosen, every other one also coming in an Olympic year.
This is absolute worst "____ of the Year" contest, which year after year seemingly only chooses kanji that a first grader knows.
It's the fifth time for 金 to be chosen, every other one also coming in an Olympic year.
This is absolute worst "____ of the Year" contest, which year after year seemingly only chooses kanji that a first grader knows.
December 12, 2024 at 5:12 AM
Japan's Kanji of the Year is AGAIN 金, meaning gold.
It's the fifth time for 金 to be chosen, every other one also coming in an Olympic year.
This is absolute worst "____ of the Year" contest, which year after year seemingly only chooses kanji that a first grader knows.
It's the fifth time for 金 to be chosen, every other one also coming in an Olympic year.
This is absolute worst "____ of the Year" contest, which year after year seemingly only chooses kanji that a first grader knows.
The Welcome Suica Mobile will by 2026 allow you to book Shinkansen tickets, as well as charge via credit card (hopefully easier than you can currently).
It would really help if they let you book tickets for non JR East Shinkansen, too...
It would really help if they let you book tickets for non JR East Shinkansen, too...
December 10, 2024 at 9:55 AM
The Welcome Suica Mobile will by 2026 allow you to book Shinkansen tickets, as well as charge via credit card (hopefully easier than you can currently).
It would really help if they let you book tickets for non JR East Shinkansen, too...
It would really help if they let you book tickets for non JR East Shinkansen, too...
JR East just laid out its roadmap for the next 10 years of Suica. It includes:
- touchless ticket gates you walk straight through
- turning Mobile Suica into a fully fledged payment platform via QR codes and links to your bank account
- a new Welcome Suica Mobile for tourists
- touchless ticket gates you walk straight through
- turning Mobile Suica into a fully fledged payment platform via QR codes and links to your bank account
- a new Welcome Suica Mobile for tourists
December 10, 2024 at 9:55 AM
JR East just laid out its roadmap for the next 10 years of Suica. It includes:
- touchless ticket gates you walk straight through
- turning Mobile Suica into a fully fledged payment platform via QR codes and links to your bank account
- a new Welcome Suica Mobile for tourists
- touchless ticket gates you walk straight through
- turning Mobile Suica into a fully fledged payment platform via QR codes and links to your bank account
- a new Welcome Suica Mobile for tourists
OMG the meme was true
December 4, 2024 at 11:30 PM
OMG the meme was true
