Japan's October numbers just dropped, and the story remains grim for workers. Real wages declined for the tenth consecutive month, meaning purchasing power continues shrinking despite nominal pay showing some growth. When inflation eats away gains faster than paychecks grow, households feel the pinch. This persistent erosion of real income could push more Japanese toward alternative assets as traditional savings lose value. Ten months of negative real wage growth isn't just a statistic—it's a lived reality affecting spending habits and investment decisions across the economy.