Riding on the Rakuten Rollercoaster: Points As Main Income?

This news story discusses an unusual declaration from an individual who proclaims to be making a living by resourcefully utilising points from Rakuten's loyalty program. Rakuten, a Japanese electronic commerce and online retailing company, provides a lucrative points reward system, and the survival of this person on such points alone proves intriguing. However, it prompts a broader discussion on economic tendencies, personal financial management, and the potential impacts of Japan's rapidly digitising economy.

In Japan, loyalty programs such as Rakuten's are often extensive and incredibly popular, with some people even leveraging them to varying degrees for their livelihood. The idea of someone declaring this as their main income is intriguing, but also concerning, as it indicates challenges within Japanese employment and economic stability.

In the US or EU, credit card reward programs are common, but they're typically supplemental to one's income rather than the primary source. This scenario, highlighting the potential extremes that such programs can reach in Japan, could stimulate discussions about similar systems in Western economies.

Information for Your Country

For someone outside of Japan, several articles exist discussing the western perspective on Rakuten and the broader issues of employment and economic stability. One could also learn about various loyalty programs and how they can be optimally utilised.