Comments on: Japan observations

By: Issei Sugiyama

Issei Sugiyama — Fri, 23 May 2008 07:44:58 +0000

I’m japanese graduate student.

This article is very interesting for japanese people.
It offers us new insight toward japanese culture.

There are very few public rubbish bins. Take your trash home with you.

The reason is below.

After the terrorism in London,trash boxes were gotten away for the security reason.

By: aaron

aaron — Fri, 23 May 2008 01:13:51 +0000

CDO: I always thought it ironic that the announcements on the train about being quiet and switching off your cellphone are so noisy …

By: Chief Debt Officer

Chief Debt Officer — Thu, 22 May 2008 23:45:40 +0000

Good posting…

I knew I was kicked out from Japan because I often ate in public space!!

Have you ever annoyed by the announcement in public transportation, like, “next station is Shibuya, the right side door will open.”, “Shut off your cell phone.”, or “Keep quiet!!!!”?

Have you ever noticed there are “Women only train car” in big cities, while there is absolutely no “Men only”?

By: IllegalCharacter

IllegalCharacter — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:07:26 +0000

@Jason: Perhaps both sides are the peculiar ones :)

This post/discussion has really piqued my already growing curiosity about experiencing different cultures. Hopefully I can get the courage sometime to head to Japan or Korea or someplace far away for a year or two.

By: aaron

aaron — Wed, 21 May 2008 11:58:06 +0000

IllegalCharacter: Having spent some time in Japan and now returning to the ‘West’, I’m looking forward to observing what things seem unusual, in the reverse direction.

By: Japanite

Japanite — Tue, 20 May 2008 17:54:35 +0000

@IllegalCharacter:

I’m sure they do.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:16:02 +0000

Nice post. You might also want to add that, in some parts of Tokyo, it is unlawful to smoke in public places (such as on sidewalks). They have designated ’smoking areas’ instead.

@IllegalCharacter - We do, we do. However, being as a Japanese American, I have a hard time figuring out which side is the peculiar one. :P

By: IllegalCharacter

IllegalCharacter — Tue, 20 May 2008 14:01:59 +0000

I wonder if Japanese people write blogs like this about the Western world. For example:
“Cars will sometimes run through a red light with their middle finger up.”

The bicycle thing is the same here (Montreal) too. Sometimes it’s just more convenient to ride on the wrong side of the road. You can actually see the cars coming before they hit you.

By: Japanite

Japanite — Tue, 20 May 2008 08:55:09 +0000

Interesting post.
By the way, can you see in day to day life in Tokyo, the more weird side of Japanese? like custom playing and the great attraction to robots and machines?