Japanese seniors are starting to use flea market apps

Japanese Seniors Are Using Flea Market Apps

A lot of Japanese seniors are now starting to do end-of-life preparations or known as shukatsu. The term which was taboo for them has become a regular activity. Although there are many steps to do in order to complete the shukatsu, one of the preparations is declutter. Declutter is an activity where one takes things that don’t spark joy anymore, and they can either sell or give it to someone. 

Flea market trading apps have been popular among the young people in Japan, but not with the elderly. Now that the term shukatsu is not a taboo anymore, a lot of seniors are starting to use flea market apps. Shukatsu itself is used by many people, especially those who live alone without a partner or children.

As this end-of-life preparation is becoming popular, many shukatsu associations have been making seminars regarding the topic. In a seminar, the shukatsu association would discuss about investments, inheritance, and even a lecture of how to use the flea market apps. The seniors would learn how to take pictures of the things they are selling, how to make people interested to see their items, and also the possibility of having pitfalls of selling online.

A 61-year-old housewife in Tokyo, Yoko Katsumi, is one of the attendees of the seminar. Her intention attending the seminar is to declutter things she doesn’t need anymore. She shared that she had a hard time selling and giving her parents’ things when they died several years ago. Katsumi has decided to declutter her things when she’s still healthy enough to do it on her own. She also revealed that she was able to make 150,000 yen ($1,360) within 2 months.

Source: https://japantoday.com/category/national/Japanese-seniors-turning-to-flea-market-apps-to-declutter