日本の印象
General Impression:一般的印象
Japan is a very safe country. So in the countries it is OK to go out without locking the door. Many people live in a small island peacefully. So we esteem "Wa" or harmony. There is no extreme poverty. We think we belong to the middle class. And we have to work hard enough to keep the present condition. Everyone can read and write. So, even a beggar read books.
Japanese Nature: 日本の自然
Japan is a very mountainous country. Mt. Fuji is a volcano with a perfect cone shape. We have many active, dormant and extinct volcanoes. We usually make ridges in fields to help the plants grow better and faster. A Japanese garden is a miniature of natural landscape.
Old and Now: 昔と今
There are two things we will never change in the future; one is the deep bath-tub and the other is to take off shoes at home. Meiji Restoration in 1868 was really an epoch in the modernization of Japan. Japanese houses are thought to be made of wood and paper. Japanese are ceremonial animals. We start our work with the morning ceremony. We bow to each other, saying "Ohayo Gozaimasu" or "Good morning" first. Japan is one of the most liberal countries in the world. We can say anything without fear. But formality creates tension, nervousness and bureaucracy.
Building and House:建物と家
Many houses are irregular in shape. Houses had existed before towns were created. The room becomes a bedroom by making a bed on the floor and becomes a dining room by setting a table. A sliding door is more convenient and saves much space. Japanese style toilet is sanitary and clean because we don't touch any part of it with our body.
Road and Vehicle: 道路と車
Japanese streets are narrow and crowded. Japanese drivers are excellent. They drive skillfully in such narrow streets. Many people just hold their driver's license but never drive, who are called "Paper Driver". The doors of many restaurants, supermarkets, taxi, trains etc are automatic. Trains are operated punctually and stop exactly where the entraining points are marked.
Cities and Countryside:都市と田舎
The cities are noisy and jumpy but the countryside is beautiful. People in rural areas are very charming and friendly. Pace of life is too fast. Everyone runs.
Cleanness: 清潔さ
Water in Japan is good to drink and very tasty. Security and drinking water were available freely. Many Japanese take a bath everyday.
Shopping:買い物
There is no tipping in Japan. It is impolite and rude to give someone money without wrapping it. When we visit someone, we often give some gifts as token of affection. When we are on a trip, we bring back some souvenirs for our friends. Japanese waste lots of goods. They throw away too much too easily. Wrapping is one of the important elements for the Japanese taste.
Culture: 文化
Japanese are very skillful to use chopsticks. Chinese characters look like some pictures. They are created from pictures orsymbols originally.
Fashion: ファッション
Japanese are taller than you think. There are few fat people in Japan. We can eat many kinds of food, rice, seaweed, fish, vegetable etc. We look alike with black hair and dark eyes. But if you live here long, you may find difference in individuality. Japanese wear good dress. Japanese spend a lot of money on clothes. Only a few people wear Kimono. It is beautiful to look at but not comfortable to put on. It is worn for some ceremonial occasions. You can see Kimono women on New Year's Day and January 15.
Food:食べ物
A set menu is very popular in Japan. Japanese eat food with their eyes. Japanese like noodles. Japanese need to drink alcohol to smoothen their human relations. It removes the shyness in their mind. We are generally weaker in drinking.
Privacy :プライバシー
Japanese towns and streets are full of noise. No room can be locked in a traditional Japanese house. The partition is usually made by using thin paper sliding door. So there is no privacy.
Closeness: 近似
Japanese are obedient to the established rules and orders. Consensus is highly appreciated in Japanese society. Koreans, Chinese live in Japan but we can hardly tell the difference. Japanese are very shy and very timid to talk to a stranger.
Harmony: 協調
Japanese are dishonest. They seldom express their true and frank opinions. Honesty is not always the best policy because it may harm somebody's feeling and make him lose his face. Japanese culture is a culture of shame. They are afraid of shame and disgrace.
knowledge:知識
Japanese students don't know much about their own country.
Courtesy:礼儀
Japanese seldom say "I'm sorry" when they run into others. Japanese are quiet when they are alone but noisy when they are together. Japanese patch up things with a smile. Japanese are apt to bow while shaking hands. Japanese have no religion. Japanese christians are less than two percent of the population.
