Business Daily - What is oshikatsu and can it boost Japan's economy?
Download What is oshikatsu and can it boost Japan's economy?
The superfan culture involves doing everything you can to be closer to your idols - often through concerts, merchandise, and streaming support.
And now oshikatsu is being praised by some economists for helping pull Japanese retail sales out of a long slump.
Figures suggest the role of fan purchasing power has boosted Japan’s annual retail turnover by 2%.
But what is so different about the way of supporting our heroes that has created such growth?
Produced and presented by Rick Kelsey
(Image: Anime and game fans attend the 105th ComicMarket Show in Tokyo, Japan, December 2024. Credit CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Published on Wednesday, 12th November 2025.
Available Podcasts from Business Daily
We are not the BBC, we only list available podcasts. To find out more about the programme including episodes available on BBC iPlayer, go to the Business Daily webpage.