What do I like and dislike about Japan as a Japanese?
I was born and raised in Japan.
My business trips abroad, marriage to an American man, and raising two children in Japan have given me relatively many opportunities to think about Japanese society and culture while I have been in Japan.
In conjunction with these experiences, I work with staff of 15 different nationalities. I find the cultural differences and uniqueness of each of them attractive daily, and even though I am Japanese, I find myself pondering and sometimes struggling with my own culture. At the same time, I sometimes find myself immediately noticing the good qualities of other countries but not always the good qualities of my own. So, once again, I would like to list some of the things I like and dislike about Japan while living and working here.
Courtesy is the basis of social life.
Japan is a country that highly values politeness. We frequently use the word 「Sumimasen」 (「excuse me」). It can be used to apologize, as a lighthearted way of saying 「I’m sorry,」 or as a way of saying thank you, and although it varies depending on the situation, it is generally used with a light sense of communication. Japanese people are often perceived as a nation of people who often apologize. Still, it is a basic manner of keeping interpersonal relationships smooth and is nothing more than an attentive way to avoid causing trouble to those around you.
Also, when using public transportation or standing in line in front of a store, you rarely see people interrupting you. Look for the end of the line and line up there. On train platforms, people line up according to the footprint marks painted on their feet, wait for people to disembark from the arriving train, and then board the train in order. Overseas, however, people seem less conscious of the order, as they join the queue as it is without taking offense.
Trains and subways arrive on time.
In Japan, trains run on time, and if a train is late, the railroad company issues a certificate of delay. In the past, there was even a news story overseas about a Japanese train company apologizing for a train leaving just a few dozen seconds early.
Hospitality
In Japanese hotels and restaurants, people ask for your order, and the information desk staff will talk to you. Furthermore, water and hand towels are offered in restaurants, and some stores will even put a plastic bag over a paper bag to keep you dry when shopping on a rainy day. Despite the very courteous service, tipping is not customary in Japan. If you leave a tip on the table after eating in Japan, the waiter will return it; warm hospitality is one of Japan’s strong points.
Safety
Some people may be surprised at the defenselessness of Japanese people sleeping or small elementary student alone on trains. The sight of unmanned vegetable stands and other places where goods and money can be left unattended speaks to the sincerity of the buyers and the trust of the sellers. It is truly a blessing not to worry about safety on the way home, even after dark.
High-spec toilets
Toilets with bidet functions are not often seen in other countries. In hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls, bathrooms have a washing function, warm toilet seats, sound-deadening functions, and clean powder rooms. At school, classrooms and restrooms are cleaned by students. Even as part of education, cleaning time is well established, and the spirit of washing one’s place has been nurtured in Japan for a long time.
Lost and Found
I have often heard stories of lost items in Japan that have been returned safely. I once had an experience where a lady thanked me with a memorable story of how she lost and found pearl earrings, which she had left in the powder room at Narita Airport, were returned to her at the Lost and Found Center. Many people have lost valuables and had them returned to them, and I am sure that the joy they felt at that time led them to take action to deliver the lost item when they picked it up.
In addition to the advantages listed above, I would like to share what I like about Japan the most.
It is a country with a longitudinal topography, so the landscape is different in each of the four seasons, there are seasonal foods, and the local cuisine is super delicious. In addition, the dialects are rich, each region has unique characteristics, and the four seasons offer a variety of authentic sports and travel opportunities. Japan is inseparable from natural disasters, but at the same time, I should not forget its benefits.
When I think about the beautiful things about Japan, I realize once again that it is a country that values cooperation and acts with consideration for those around it in its unique culture.
However, on the other hand, there are also times when I find that what I thought were the advantages of Japan are the disadvantages of living in Japan. Although it is my personal opinion and judgement, I would like to list some weaknesses.
About Japanese characteristics
Japanese are on the shy side and are not good at revealing our innermost feelings. We tend to be hesitant to say what we feel because we are under much peer pressure and are more concerned about people’s reactions more than necessary. In a culture where it is considered reasonable to read the atmosphere and not to express one’s personal opinion, we tend to be subconscious and force ourselves to be patient. We love the spirit of 「we’re all on the same page」 and often find ourselves in situations where our individuality must be squashed to conform. It is especially true at school and work, where we have difficulty accepting strangers.
We also see virtue in not praising family members, especially your spouse. It is even considered not proper to honor him/her, especially to strangers.
About Work
Even after Covid-19, my work system has not changed much, and I have the impression that still many people have to ride crowded trains to work as before. The company sometimes forces employees to work overtime for service, and even when employees become ill and even lose their lives, they think it is inevitable because it is for the company’s sake. It is also true that few people can take a leadership role within the company, and individual positivity is lacking. “The nail that sticks out constantly gets hammered down,” and there is a tendency to unconsciously think about groupthink, where more is correct than less.
History and Culture
Many people have had disappointing experiences when visiting historical sites around Japan, depending on the location. There are many reasons for this, but I believe one reason is that there are few options for preserving history. For example, have you ever been to a historical site only to see a memorial stone monument, or on the other hand, have you ever felt disappointed that historical buildings had been extensively restored and turned into something sparkling new or different?
As for fashion culture, on the other hand, while we are sensitive to the world’s trends, we tend to imitate them quickly and get tired of them soon after. I believe this tendency is rooted in the fact that trends easily influence people who lack confidence in having their style.
About Social Life
There is a temperature gap between politics and general society. According to a survey by the Center for Social Research and Survey this year, 60% of Japanese said they disapproved of the current political administration in July, indicating dissatisfaction that the political system is not hearing the public’s voices. In this society, there are few places to talk about politics and exchange opinions, and data from the 2021 survey shows that half of the voters do not go to elections, even though we support democracy.
Regarding living conditions, the younger generation is concerned that there are no vacancies in daycare centers for couples with children, that wages are not rising while daily necessities prices are rising, and that taxes are going up. Still, pensions are low, and the percentage of rent is too large relative to salary.
In Japan, there is a saying, “Sume ba Miyako.” It means wherever I lay my hat is home. In other words, it also means that once you get used to a difficult situation, it does not become a hardship. I feel every day that Japan is my home, with all its strengths and weaknesses.
