In Japan, Shorter Hairstyles Indicate A Weak Economy

Economic forecasters beware: Japanese women are cutting their hair again.

Women tend to wear their hair long when Japan's economy is doing well and short when there is a slump, the Nikkei business daily reported, citing a survey conducted by Japanese cosmetics company Kao Corp.

As for Japan's future economic performance, the Nikkei pointed to expectations for a trend towards shorter hairstyles.

This mirrors the view among some analysts that Japan's longest growth cycle since the Second World War may have ended and the economy is at risk of falling into a recession.

Keep Reading

Read the blog Jezebel's take on the issue.

Read the whole story: Reuters

Comments

[MissingAmerica]

12:28 PM on 02/21/2008

This is too funny! Is this global? I always thought that I, for instance, wear my hair short because it's convenient and more stylish; I had no idea that I'm subconsciously pronouncing an economic lack! In fact, with the price of a good haircut, you have to be wealthy to get one. I guess you're wealthy, then you pay the hairdresser, then you're poor! If that's the case, most of the money in the world belongs to hairdressers. Bet they'll be happy to learn that!

[MikeDu]

10:53 AM on 02/21/2008

I heard a similar trend thing in America. Years and years ago someone came out with th observation that bustier = worse economy.

[Kalima]

03:35 AM on 02/21/2008

This is utter nonsense! Living in Japan for almost 30
years,I had to laugh out loud.

Is it April the 1st,already?

[workingboy]

01:13 AM on 02/21/2008

Long, short, bald, just keep the world safe for Lucky magazine.
OMG! have there been any statistical studies of Hello Kitty as an economic indicator?

[WIpatriot]

08:51 PM on 02/20/2008

OMG...let's go back to reading tea leaves.

[williamina]

08:40 AM on 02/21/2008

No need for tea leaves, Japan's economy is weak. I think the question is for sociologists not economists.