Keeping up appearances

Anyone who has been out to any of Tokyo’s fashion hubs of late will have been surprised at how buoyant they are with keen shoppers. It’s hard to know where the moral high ground is: Should we remain tucked away at home watching scenes of crowded streets on television in frustration, or should we all be pulling together to support a struggling fashion industry?

If you are in the latter camp opting for either altruistic spending or just enjoying a little retail therapy, the good news is you’re not alone. A look at sales figures for June indicates that for the majority of consumers, a vote for a return to normality is one they’re happy to make with their wallets.