Chakster wrote, "And I have to mention that rare American records are much cheaper in the USA than in UK, Europe or Japan." From my experience shopping for LPs in Tokyo, I have to agree, and I would add that the LPs need not be very "rare" in order to sell in Tokyo for ~2X more than US prices, comparing to for example to used LP prices at the Capital Audio Fest, which I attend with some regularity. Last time I was in Tokyo, I was shopping at Disc Union in the Ochanomizu section of Tokyo. I have been buying from DU for more than a decade, ever since our son moved permanently to Tokyo and I started making annual or semi-annual visits. Two years ago this month (no trip last year due to pandemic), I was standing in DU holding a mint condition Chris Connor mono LP on the Bethlehem label that I realized was selling for about $25. I know for a fact that I can buy such LPs at the CAF from any of my favorite vendors, for about $8 to $10. Same situation for Julie London, June Christy, and some others I was searching for that day. Anything from any of our greatest artists, like Miles, Dizzy, etc, will be $25 and up at DU. Not nearly as appreciated by US market. This says more about our culture, or lack thereof, than it does about economic differences.
