The sales of wallets depicting the imperial palace, a popular souvenir item in Japan, have come to a disappointing halt with no clear indication of when they will resume. This follows a seemingly irregular pattern in the Japanese souvenir market, which has seen a precipitous drop in sales during the ongoing pandemic. This unexpected turn of events raises concerns for vendors who heavily rely on the income generated from these wallet sales.

In Japan, souvenirs, known as 'omiyage', hold a significance beyond simple gift giving—they are a customary tradition that showcases one's consideration towards their family, friends and coworkers. Hence, a decline in sales of such significant items is not simply an economic issue, but also touches on cultural and societal aspects.

Similar to Japan, souvenir sales are an essential segment of the economy in the US and the EU, especially in cities with a high influx of tourists. A slump in sales is consequently viewed as a reflection of decreased tourism and can herald larger economic concerns.