At the beginning of May, through Ohio University, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Tokyo, Japan, for 16 days as part of the Office of Global Opportunities’ Animation and Culture in Japan program. I experienced an unforgettable trip to the biggest city in the world, and I wanted to share my admiration for Japanese culture and way of life. Simply put: Japan does some things better.
Upon arrival, the biggest features of Tokyo prefecture, or region, are the amount of greenery and the noticeable lack of litter in the city streets. In March, Tokyo was ranked the highest worldwide for the amount of available green areas.
In addition to notable parks, like Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, every street and most buildings are lined with trees and flowers native to the country. For such a massive metropolitan area, there was an equal amount of greenery with little to no trash scattered about to ruin its aesthetics.
Last year, the New York City Council reported 97,873 OATH violations for dirty sidewalks, derelict vehicles and illegal dumping despite existing fines and additional punishment for littering. Although not perfectly spotless in highly populated areas like Shibuya and Shinjuku in Tokyo, littering is prohibited by law and by societal norms.
Public transit, like trains and buses, are very common forms of transportation around the world. New York City is infamously known for its subway system; less for its travel convenience and more so for its surplus of dirt, grime, rodents and lack of safety.
Tokyo is the opposite. Train cars are clean and very quiet, and rides to and from cities are inexpensive.
New York’s subway system is riddled with dangerous incidents, with a few odd stories sprinkled in. Subway assaults have tripled in NYC since 2009, while the number of robberies has decreased. Crime still happens on trains in Tokyo; however, the frequency and severity differ immensely.
According to recent data findings, New York City’s current crime index stands at 51.05, while Tokyo’s is much lower at 24.9. The safety rate also has a significant gap, NYC’s being 48.95 and Tokyo's at 75.1. These rates are measured based on levels and frequencies of specific crimes in these cities, and residents’ comfort walking alone during daylight or at night.
Tokyo scored a “Low” or “Very Low” in all but one category regarding home theft, where the prefecture scored “Moderate.” NYC, on the other hand, scored a “Moderate” in every category except for two, which both scored “High” regarding home theft and drug usage.
Japan as a whole is environmentally conscious and very focused on energy conservation while minimizing everyday waste. Cities aren’t perfect, and the hustle of Tokyo’s workplace culture coincides with the convenience of to-go meals and single-use plastic. While public trash is difficult to come across in public, there is almost no litter on the streets. Trash is also separated into flammable, nonflammable and recycling.
Japan’s Energy Conservation Act, passed in 1979, is the rock of its conservation efforts. The country has been successfully reducing carbon emissions, increasing reliance on renewable energy sources and has incorporated several programs and campaigns much sooner to prevent rapid climate change and environmental distress.
Although these aspects of Japanese culture are very large-scale, some small details can make a brief visit feel worthwhile. For example, nearly every public toilet (excluding traditional Japanese squat toilets) is equipped with a bidet or “washlet” and cleans itself before and after each use. Public restrooms are clean and highly accessible for people with disabilities. For those hesitant to use such seemingly invasive technology for the first time, it’s an adjustment, but worth it.
In addition to a luxurious bathroom experience, small cultural improvements are everywhere. The cost of living in Japan is 55% lower than in the U.S. Japan’s food restrictions and regulations are among the most strict in the world, resulting in better transparency about ingredients contained in food. Japan also restricts many additives that are illegal in the U.S. Japanese cosmetic standards are also very similar in this regard.
The list could continue with the inclusion of unique Japanese fashion, the delight of an “onsen” or public bathhouse and the sheer amount of “Gotchapon” or trinket dispensers. There are numerous aspects of everyday life in Japan that the U.S. could take a few pointers from.
Abby Jenkins is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Abby about her column? Email her at aj205621@ohio.edu.
