When it comes to our increasingly creaky global financial system, all eyes are on Europe, but this data visualization shows that maybe we should be paying more attention to Japan, where economic indicators are raising red flags.
In Europe, the continent's shared currency is under strain thanks to fears that countries like Greece, Italy, Spain and Ireland will be unable to repay their increasingly expensive public borrowing. That, in turn, puts pressure on governments to cut public spending and leading to fears of bank failures and tightening credit conditions. European leaders are being forced to adopt reforms and gather enough money to backstop stretched public treasuries as the rest of the world worries about what will happen to their workers and businesses if the whole thing goes south.
But Europe isn't the only place with high debt—in fact, Japan, the world's third-largest economy, has some of the same warning signs.
Sovereign debt crises are a product of a number of factors—loss of confidence in a country's political system and it's growth potential, rising interest rates, and overall debt load. Public debt isn't always the best indicator of a potential disaster (some threatened European countries were well managed fiscally before the current crisis, others were not) it's one of the key determinants of how difficult it will be to emerge from a crisis. If market jitters start to drive up the cost of maintaing a large debt load, it can kick off a vicious cycle: Interest rate payments force other public budget cuts or tax increases, creating slower economic growth and lowering the country's ability to pay.
Japan has suffered through nearly two decades of economic stagnation after a crash in the early '90s; combined with an aging population, the conditions led the country's government to borrow twice as much money as their economy is actually worth. While the country has been able to maintain its stability thanks to low costs of borrowing—Japan is still an important player in the global economy—financial contagions have a way of spreading. If the country's recent political chaos, which has seen it switch Prime Ministers three times in the last two years, combines with global fears about the quality of sovereign debt in Europe and the United States, Japan could very quickly find itself as the next stop on the financial crisis world tour.
This infographic is a collaboration between Glassman Wealth Services and Elefint Designs, a strategic design firm working with good causes. Infogra.ph is a project utilizing custom infographics and data visualizations to shed light on important topics and promote organizations doing social good.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.