My family and friends over the past five years have asked me why I so fervently wanted to return to Japan. I imagine I’ve bored them with my standard “it’s just so different and amazing” and “I’d live there if I could” responses, which while vague, were genuine and always enthusiastic.
I realise that I see Japan from a holidaymaker’s perspective and that beneath the fascinating veneer, Japanese face many societal and economic issues. My inclination to see what the Japanese do so well in comparison to us however, leads me to feel more than a little excited at the simplest thing.
Take for example, the construction industry and how it operates here. I watched in awe and some amusement a few days ago when a security guard/safety guy/traffic manager or whatever his job title is, hosed down the mucky wheels of every wheelbarrow and the workers’ boots as they left the door of the construction site to move debris into the back of their gleaming dump truck which was sited about 100m away. This is about respect for the neighbourhood and the people who live there. The guards are invariably well turned out as though it was their first week on the job. The dump truck has shiny alloy wheels and the whole vehicle is sparkling. Construction sites are generally shrouded in while plastic sheeting to reduce dust and noise, and every entrance has its own guard to manage vehicles and workers at the site. Would we consider this too costly? I think so. We’ve gone too far into the profit ethic, while ignoring the impact on others.
The personal pride and self-respect evident in the presentation of the guards, traffic wardens, delivery men, construction and postal workers and many other uniform wearing people here is inspiring.
This self-respect is evident in a few other areas too. So far in Kyoto, I have yet to see a dirty car or truck. They’re not just clean, they’re freshly laundered! Taxis are in showroom condition. Drivers generally wear white gloves and are a very serious looking bunch, but strive to give excellent service. They take an obvious pride in their vehicles.
Another major difference is litter. There simply isn’t any. No litter bins either, as they’re not needed. Japanese don’t litter. They don’t walk about the streets eating or drinking. It is considered rude.
So…you’re standing in the 33° heat waiting for your bus; you’ve bags of shopping and the kids are getting angsty in the heat. There’s no breeze. Some genius came up with the idea of spraying cool misty water on you while you wait. HOW COOL IS THAT? (Sorry) *That’s* good local government.
As well as all of that, it’s a really beautiful city. I’m off out to take some more photographs.
Forever Chasing Light 