1.0Fukuoka Nowhttps://www.fukuoka-now.comfukuoka nowhttps://www.fukuoka-now.com/author/fukuoka-now-editor/Low-tech high life | Fukuoka Nowrich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="LclngjC5qW"><a href="https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/low-tech-high-life/">Low-tech high life</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/low-tech-high-life/embed/#?secret=LclngjC5qW" width="600" height="338" title="“Low-tech high life” — Fukuoka Now" data-secret="LclngjC5qW" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">
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https://i0.wp.com/www.fukuoka-now.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/fn170-Dodesho-illo-e1358996127144.png?fit=640%2C640&ssl=1640640Since I moved to Kurume last August, my family back in Scotland have suffered many a Skype complaint about my 30-year-old aircon unit and the grim limitations of my bank card. They no longer see Japan as one big Tokyo, buzzing with cyber progress; in fact, my Dad has compared my life in Japan to Britain in the late 1970s, when unemployment led to widespread cutbacks and frugality. In terms of technology and office practice, the Japan of the 1970s too is probably pretty similar to Japan today. But why is this such a surprise for a newcomer? Why the contrast between the image of Japan and the reality of my frustrated phone calls back home? by Hannah Auld