So, this weekend, the day before my son starts his final year of preschool, we ordered an 80,000 yen (~US$750) randoseru (firm-sided backpack) that will arrive next March a few weeks before he starts elementary school.

Did I mention this is completely normal in Japan?

Not the brand or model he got, but a similar (and not uncommon) price point for anyone who doesn't know what I'm referring to. https://www.seiban.co.jp/sp/boy/regio/baroque/