Raw Japan
Slices of Japanese business, politics and life
Cheap treat keeps Japan sweet
What is sticky, shaped like a fish and helps Japanese people shrug off the lingering effects of the country’s worst recession since World War Two?
The economy is struggling but sales of a traditional, fish-shaped sweet snack are going along swimmingly, thanks to its low price and auspicious name.
Taiyaki, which means baked sea bream, is a pancake stuffed with a sweet bean jam and served hot and cheap in stalls all over the country.
The name helps. “Tai”, Japanese for sea bream, sounds similar to the word for happiness.
