Cultural Differences

Since I’ve been here, I’ve noticed several interesting cultural differences between Japan and the US. One of the most interesting and noticeable things for me is the absence of the Japanese flag. I’ve been here about 10 days and I have yet to see Japan’s national flag once! It’s the complete opposite of the US, where you can’t walk a block without seeing an American flag waving from a flagpole, hanging over a doorway, or strung up in someone’s window.

Secondly, there are very few trash cans around. If you get a bottle of juice or soda from the vending machine prepare to carry it around with you for, probably, the rest of the day. I think this actually results in less litter, because if there are no trash cans, people aren’t just going to throw their trash to the ground. If there were trash cans, people (who are lazy and inconsiderate) could litter, knowing someone else can pick it up and carry it to a trash can. But since there are no trash cans, they either have to carry their litter around with them or have someone else do it for them, and most people are too considerate to do that.

Thirdly, smoking is not as looked-down upon here as it is in the US. Many restaurants have designated smoking areas or smoking times during which people can smoke freely. While walking down the street, especially downtown, you’ll come across designated smoking areas in which many smokers gather and puff away.

These are the most prominent differences between the US and Japan that I’ve noticed so far, but I’m sure I’ll come across more in the 11 remaining weeks I’m here.