A few days ago I mentioned a case recently profiled in the Japanese mass media of two sisters who had socked away several billion yen in a garage near their house. While the case of these two sisters is unique, married women have been stashing away hidden cash reserves of ”belly button money” or hesokuri （臍繰り）for a long time. In fact, this tradition is deeply rooted in Japanese history, according to this article from the International Herald Tribune back in 2006.According to a July survey by Sompo Japan Insurance of 500 married women nationwide, 55 percent of all Japanese wives keep a cash stash of which their husbands are unaware. The average amount being saved by those women was estimated at ¥3.15 million, or $27,400, up from ¥2.3 million a year earlier….
The Bank of Japan has estimated that there is ¥42 trillion in cash hidden in Japanese households – money that could be employed more productively elsewhere….
“Japanese wives take a great joy from saving and managing household money,”… When cash is set aside as hesokuri, the bank notes are usually hidden in a dresser, at the back of bookshelves or even in the refrigerator….
“You might find them strapped in the bottom of a natto container,” (a fermented soy bean dish popular in Japan).
Maybe Mrs. Sato has something to smile about after all…
