tighten one's belts
Japan embraces budget airlines
The growth of budget airlines in Japan is good news for expats living in the country.
Expats living in Japan now have access to cheaper air travel as the country embraces budget airlines.
Japan has been slow to introduce cheap air flights across the country as citizens have a tendency to favour luxury goods and services. But an economic slowdown, which has seen it overtaken by China as the world's second biggest economy, is forcing consumers to tighten their belts.
This year alone three budget airlines have been launched – Air Asia Japan, Peach Aviation and Jetstar Japan – to fly passengers across the nation, with air fares up to 50 per cent cheaper than traditional airlines.
On top of domestic services, Peach Aviation provides low-cost flights to Hong Kong and Taiwan, while Jetstar flies to Seoul. More destinations are likely to be added in the next few years.
This is good news for cash-strapped Japanese, along with expats living in the country who are accustomed to using budget airlines, particularly across Europe.
tighten one's beltsというイディオムはイメージがしやすいと思います。はい、意味はもちろん、「出費を抑制する、おさえる」というです。ただ、"to spend less money because you don't have as much as before."という定義にあるように、「以前は経済的に余裕があったが、今はそれほど蓄えがないので、切り詰める」というニュアンスははずしてはいけません。日本語の近似表現は「財布のひもを引き締める」あたりでしょうか。（UG）
