Japanese wrapping paper economy became so incredibly absurd during their financial asset bubble in the late 1980s that spending lavishly on packaging became a massive industry.

A closer look

Japanese wrapping paper economy became so incredibly absurd during their financial asset bubble in the late 1980s that spending lavishly on packaging became a massive industry. Department stores would routinely wrap a single inexpensive gift in five layers of premium imported paper and silk ribbons just to project an aura of immense wealth. The country had so much excessive cash flowing through its borders that consumers actively demanded to be charged more for the box than the actual item inside. This perfectly encapsulates the chaotic energy of late-stage capitalism, where we happily destroy forests and spend ridiculous amounts of money just to violently tear it all apart five seconds later at a completely underwhelming birthday party!