@ShionSinX supply and demand would definitely futz with the numbers. that being said iirc, he makes the estimate in the beginning based loosely on an equivalent of the Big Mac Index using food, fancier food, and 1 litre of potable water which cost 5, 10-15, and 3 Enels respectively. Ignoring dearths in supply, that’s a pretty fair conversion (food-wise) even for my currency which is ~ 1:90 yen. And since food, water, and
shelter are the most basic of necessities, it makes for a decent, apples to apples, approximation for Enels to Yen .
Besides as there haven’t been any other earthlings present, who is there to say otherwise?
@Gabe202 I think the author uses it as one of the in story mechanics to remind the reader that the mc has been transplanted into that world. It’s a little overused but it’s one of a few tics the mc has