Do the mustachian principles apply everywhere? (Japan)

[StockBeard]

When I started reading MMM's blog, I think in one of his first articles, he states that the principles he applies can work in most countries.

Having lived in Japan for most of my adult life, I find that some of the recommendations don't necessarily apply. Now, I'm learning as I progress, but I'm wondering if some people could be tempted to blindly apply everything that is stated on the blog, without thinking about local changes.

Here's one example:
MMM recommends to get rid of your debt, including house mortgage asap.
In Japan, a loan for a house has an interest rate of less than 1%. You read correctly, 0.9% was my interest rate when I purchased a home there, with a 25 year mortgage.
At such a low rate, this is practically free money. The thing is, it is difficult to find investment vehicles in Japan that return more than 1%. Why it worked for me is because I have invested through a US brokerage company. In my case, I feel it wouldn't have made sense to try and pay the house faster

another, trickier example about compromises:
Japan again, specifically Tokyo: living close to work, while paying a reasonable price for one's home, is usually not doable. You either live far from Tokyo, or you pay a huge amount of money for your house. We're talking 1 million dollars for a 700 Square feet apartment. My own apartment was 1h30 away from the center of Tokyo, 700 Square feet, and cost about $500'000 at the time (that would be $400'000 today with the YENUSD rate)

It is worth mentioning that in Japan, houses do not appreciate in value, they depreciate. By the time you're done paying your mortgage, the value of an apartment is usually 0. The value of a house is the value of the land, minus the cost of destroying the house (people destroy and rebuild, rarely renovate an old house)

Because of these specificities of Japan, not all MMM principles apply.
I am wondering if other similar examples exist out there (and would love some additional help on Mastering the mustachian way in Japan, as I plan to go back there sometime soon)

[forummm]

Yeah, Japan is a very different financial environment. Housing is not an investment. I think much of the rest applies. In general, spend minimally, save maximally. You may have to go outside the country for investments until the economy starts growing.

[FFA]

The way I interpret it, the basic principles can apply everywhere. I don't know if these "MMM principles" are listed anywhere, but the type of thing I have in mind is : use your own brain don't just follow the herd / traditional path / conventional wisdom, use an analytical approach to make financial decisions based on long-term value, an experimental / "do it yourself" mindset, etc.

The examples you give, I see them more as specific applications/tactics, rather than principles. Yes such applications may be specific to the US/Canada/Australia/etc, and perhaps not correct for Japan/Europe/etc. But the principles remain valid, i.e. do the maths and see if it makes sense to reduce debt fast or just pay off your home loan over the full term like the majority of people might do. Make a conscious and thoughtful decision after analysis, don't just passively follow what others do or drift along without consideration.

I could be wrong, but that is the way I would look at it. Hope it helps.

[Retired To Win]

Yes, MMM principles do apply everywhere.  HOW they apply may vary, such as with the 2 examples from Japan in this thread's original post.  But the principles themselves stand. (BTW, paying off the mortgage is not a principle.)