Within the one month that I have spent in Japan so far, I have learned quite a bit about the cultural beliefs and values of Japanese people. For this post, I will be focusing on public transit as it is one of the main ways of transportation and includes a wide range of people from young to old and of different professions. Even other tourists and peoples’ reactions can be seen in public transport.
As stated in my previous blog, Japan is a collective society where there are general social rules for people to follow. This seems to be true to me throughout my time here. On public transit, there are announcements that play in some trains to remind passengers to keep their phones on silent or to not make calls. It is also common knowledge to not speak so loudly while on trains, however, this is not a definitive rule that is always followed. Before getting on a train in Japan, it is important to wait in the lines indicated as it leaves space for those getting off the train. This allows for a smoother exchange and for the trains to be as efficient and timely as they are. Whereas in the States, there tend to not be organized lines which may be seen as less efficient and more difficult in some respects.
These surface level behaviors show me that there are small actions people can partake in to not be a nuisance to others. This is especially true in the early mornings and late evenings as people are going to and from work. Another example of small actions that care for the general public is the garbage system. The trash is categorized more so than in the US which allows for people to be mindful about their environmental impact. Overall, it can be seen that aspects of Japanese culture indicate that simple rules that everyone follows allows for efficiency and being mindful of others.