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Why the Japanese Don't Litter

japantravelcafe.com

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Re: Why the Japanese Don't Litter

#51

Post by hkmurakami »

notastartup wrote: post #30
hkmurakami wrote: post #3

Japan's very low number of public trash cans isn't just because of this "tradition and culture of courtesy and bringing trash home". It is also a direct result of a Sarin gas terrorism attack that hit the Tokyo subway system in 1995, whereupon some of the weaponry was deposited in a public trash can. Afterwards, the number of public trash cans was dramatically reduced. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarin_gas_attack_o…

that event still sends shudders because it was so bizarre.

Yup, still remember watching the news with my parents and not really truly understanding the ramifications. Yet despite my lack of comprehension, it has left a mark.

Re: Why the Japanese Don't Litter

#52

Post by margold »

free2rhyme214 wrote: post #35
itazula wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The smoking is a peeve of mine. So many young people in Japan smoking. It's very surprising because people know better.

They do know better but what I witnessed in Japan was wayyy too much group think going on and not enough individualism. That's probably why there hasn't been that many successful startups in Japan when there's a population of over 100mm ppl.

Could you name a country, where the majority of college-educated population is unlikely to feel comfortable speaking or reading English, where there has been many successful startups?

I'm trying to see whether my hypothesis that "country with successful startups" correlates with "country where the potential startup demographic is likely to be exposed to Silicon Valley ideas" holds up.

Re: Why the Japanese Don't Litter

#53

Post by margold »

11thEarlOfMar wrote: post #12

Google in Images "Japanese school children clean their classrooms" and you'll find dozens of photos, not just of putting things away, but literally scrubbing the classroom floors. Even one photo of the guys cleaning the urinals. Maybe a prank shot. But may as well not be. The Japanese see cleanliness and orderliness as a primary virtue and leaving a place that they have used clean is taught and reinforced by peer beh…

While I agree with your general assessment, I want to point out that it cannot be concluded from your example: in Russia (at least when I was in elementary/high school in the 90s), children clean the classroom in much the same way as in Japan (scrub the floors etc), very hands-on. Yet Russia is pretty much opposite Japan in littering on the streets.

Re: Why the Japanese Don't Litter

#54

Post by margold »

MVf4l wrote: post #4

To me, "not littering" is different from "cleaning up for others". I need an article to explain why the Japanese clean up for others.

> I need an article to explain why the Japanese clean up for others.

In very broad terms, the culture in Japan is very much "I take care of you, and you take care of me". Sure, it doesn't work the same way abroad, but by the time a Japanese person travels abroad it's already ingrained at a subconscious level.

Source: lived in Japan for 3 years, have a Japan-educated grandmother.

Re: Why the Japanese Don't Litter

#55

Post by ekianjo »

deciplex wrote: post #49
ekianjo wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Most restaurants have smoking and non-smoking areas, and I guess people figure that if you're in the smoking area you at least agree to deal with the smoke. And, if you're in a restaurant that doesn't have a non-smoking area, well you're also totally free to not go to that restaurant, you know? Except that most of the facilities are completely inadequate, and you know, when I'm sitting in a non-smoking area and the…

>It's THAT ridiculous. See second point i.e. "well you're also totally free to not go to that restaurant, you know?" >That's part of the problem. I don't think that it is. I don't smoke (aside from the very occasional cigar), but I certainly don't need to ostracize smokers either, and unless they are smoking in a place where it is explicitly forbidden, I don't need to complain about them either.

Problem, it's very difficult to find non-smoking restaurants or bars in Japan. You are exposed to smoke wherever you go as a non-smoker. So your solution is, I shouldn't go out ?

Yeah, sounds fair and reasonable.

Re: Why the Japanese Don't Litter

#56

Post by dingaling »

Semiapies wrote: post #17
ekianjo wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It is also a direct result of a Sarin gas terrorism attack that hit the Tokyo subway system in 1995, Precisely, the author is just plain ignorant. By the way the same thing happened in France after the metro bombinga.

And in the UK after enough IRA bombs in wastebins.

> And in the UK after enough IRA bombs in wastebins.

But bizarrely not in Northern Ireland... bins galore when I was growing-up.

Re: Why the Japanese Don't Litter

#57

Post by oneeyedpigeon »

qq66 wrote: post #45
oneeyedpigeon wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And, of course, getting rid of wastebins in the UK hasn't stopped bombings altogether, but it has made it frustratingly difficult to dispose of your litter (I do happen to always take mine with me anyway, but evidence suggests plenty of people don't). Much better - and in use in sensible locations - is a simple transparent bin/bag. Why they're not in use in more places, I'm not sure.

When I lived in the UK (2002-2003) I was told that its perfectly acceptable to leave your litter on the train platform against the wall as there are people who regularly come by to clear it. Is this still true?

I've never heard that. It's certainly 'acceptable' to leave litter on the train at the final stop, but other than that I think pretty much all littering is approached with typical British sensibilities - we frown on it, from afar.

Re: Why the Japanese Don't Litter

#58

Post by minikomi »

nikatwork wrote: post #31

Last time I was in Shinjuku (2009) there were actual cigarette police in special uniforms who followed smokers around and publicly chastised or fined them if they littered. I saw 3 salarymen get busted within about 15 minutes. The fact that this system even exists indicates that the Japanese do litter. On the flipside, all the fast food joints had wastebins sorted by garbage type, and I did get death stares when I ac…

This is more to harass people (walking and) smoking away from the designated zones in general. Serves two purposes - enforces a pretty big change in habit, and creates jobs for older people.

Re: Why the Japanese Don't Litter

#59

Post by diroussel »

qq66 wrote: post #45
oneeyedpigeon wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And, of course, getting rid of wastebins in the UK hasn't stopped bombings altogether, but it has made it frustratingly difficult to dispose of your litter (I do happen to always take mine with me anyway, but evidence suggests plenty of people don't). Much better - and in use in sensible locations - is a simple transparent bin/bag. Why they're not in use in more places, I'm not sure.

When I lived in the UK (2002-2003) I was told that its perfectly acceptable to leave your litter on the train platform against the wall as there are people who regularly come by to clear it. Is this still true?

Yes that's right. There are no bins in the statition but there are often cleaners. Still if you can take your rubbish with you that makes for a nicer looking train station.

Re: Why the Japanese Don't Litter

#60

Post by spoint »

a8da6b0c91d wrote: post #24
ekianjo wrote: post #14

Japanese dont litter ? This must be a good joke !! Japanese litter everywhere where they feel safe to do it. Go to a Hanabi Taikai (fireworks in summer) and on your way back you will be WALKING on litter for 1 kilometer. Go hiking in the mountains and you will see the extent of Japanese littering when noone is looking. Mountains of cans thrown away by hikers. Go in the countryside and see whay people leave on the sid…

There's trash all over the street in parts of Roppongi and Kabukicho on a Friday or Saturday night, same as any bar district in the US or Europe. I think people are overlooking that it's rich folks at the World Cup. I doubt the Americans down there are leaving trash around either.

Neither of these places are pinnacles of Japanese society - all bars, strip joints, and foreigners.
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