The end of the Japanese bubble economy was followed by a stale economic growth with the exception in the consumer electronics industry. In the 1980’s, the leisure activities were focused around the family; activities like excursions to parks or shopping were the common. As the time for leisure becomes scarce with work or education, however, people start to seek entertainment wherever they can (for example, commuters will read manga or listen to music on the way to work or school).
The market responded to this new individual-oriented lifestyle by providing consumer electronics for entertainment. Akihabara shopping district became popular to this post-bubble generation, and those who became obsessive with video games and manga were named otaku.