First off, don’t buy into the whole “Japan is a crime-free paradise” thing. Seriously, that’s just a load of, well, you know. The idea that nobody in Japan would *dare* sell a fake bag is just…naive, honestly. In fact, *because* of that reputation, it’s actually kinda the perfect place for some dodgy dealings to go down. People assume everything’s on the up-and-up, so they’re less likely to be sus, y’know?
I mean, think about it. You see all these women carrying these bags, and you’re like, “Wow, Japan’s rich!” But realistically? It’s more likely a mix of things. Some are obviously genuine, but then you’ve got the pre-owned market booming. Which is cool, because you can snag a used bag for way cheaper than retail. But also? That opens the door for fakes to sneak in.
And let’s talk about Mercari Japan for a sec. I saw some stuff online talking about how dishonest sellers count on Westerners being all trusting because “Japanese honor,” and that… yeah, that’s messed up. You gotta be careful out there, no matter where you’re buying from.
Then there’s the whole “super fake” thing. Apparently, some of these fakes are SO good, they’re like 99.9% identical to the real deal. Like, even the experts can have a hard time spotting them. But still, that .1% can get you. Don’t be fooled.
Honestly, I think the pressure to “keep up with the Joneses” is just as real in Japan as it is anywhere else. There’s this social stigma around being caught with a fake, which is kinda funny when you think about how many fakes are probably floating around. So, maybe some people are willing to risk it to look the part.
