By Barry Crisp

October 12, 2006

Editor’s note: Author spent a few weeks in Japan during his summer vacation to give us the following article covering his observations of the cultural differences between Japan and the UK.

Downtown Tokyo

Everything in the UK compared to Japan seems to be outdated. The UK’s reluctance to update our public transport services and buildings for the fear of disrupting the order of our functional daily lives is what draws this so-called multicultural country into a plain and orderly existence. However, it could be argued that Japan’s strive for perfection in everything, is what drives some Japanese people crazy. “Sometimes I wish the train would be late – let me feel that sense of frustration at least once,” says commuter Shizu Nakagawa.

Public transport services in the UK are 9 times out of 10 late and without ever issuing an apology. In Japan, if the train or bus is late, then the driver apologises to the waiting passengers. Japanese people can live their lives to a schedule because they know 9 and half times out of 10, the train would arrive on time. Could you believe that some passengers on the Tokyo underground have never witnessed a late train? Many Japanese that come to London are shocked by how terrible our public transport services are.

Shopping in Japan is far more exciting than in the UK as there are 2 to 3 times more shops, with many hidden ones underground. However, unless you know exactly what you are looking for and where you want to get it from, you could end up feeling a character from ‘Lost In Translation’. Having more shops leads to more diversity in choice of clothes, food, and other luxuries, but also leads Japan into a consumer crazy country. Never had one seen so many people walking around with shopping bags in Shibuya, Tokyo, than anywhere else I have traveled.

Department stores like Ito Yokada and Nagasakiya in Japan are excellent for families. They host restaurants, children play areas, supermarkets, electronic and phone shops, and much more. London in particular, could do with more department stores to help make family shopping trips more exciting and easier. But, London is not all doom and gloom with grey clouds. You can find beautiful big public parks and lovely unique trendy spots like Covent Garden and Carnaby Street, which cannot be rivaled or found in Tokyo.

Some of the customs in Japan are perhaps too much to remember. Every time you visit a friend or a relative’s home it is customary and perhaps compulsory to take a small gift. The thought of that happening in the UK on a regular basis is amusing. So, if you are visiting Japan and are going to visit some friends, be sure to take some British tea bags and biscuits, as the Japanese absolutely love these kinds of gifts.

Traveling around in Japan is relatively easy as there are English signs posted practically everywhere, and along with some of the most basic Japanese phrases. The Japanese are very friendly and willing to help, and are perhaps the most genuinely acceptant towards foreigners in the world. You can walk around without being glared at or made to feel uncomfortable.

One aspect of life greatly lacking in the UK is a sense of culture and identity. Although Japanese are immersed into Western culture and lifestyle, they still hold cultural community events every year. The summer festivals and the picnics under the Cherry Blossom trees are a “must see” when visiting Japan.

Japan is a wonderful country: safer than the UK, its people friendlier, the food and transport system better, and much more to do. However, Japan has a shrinking population problem that has occurred within the past 10 years. Due to their overworking and consumer culture lifestyle, it is evident that there is a decline in Japan’s birth rate. Most parents are in their 30s or older with very few young children, whereas in the UK there are many young parents and so a decline in population wouldn’t be an issue for many years to come.

Living in Japan can be a very exciting and rewarding experience just as long as you are willing to accept and understand the Japanese language and culture. Whatever weird and wacky stories you have heard about Japan are most likely far from the truth or influenced by our common misunderstanding of Japan. Tokyo is a fantastic city for young people who want to work and have fun, but if you are considering a long-term stay in Japan including having children, then living in the suburbs or countryside is the best option.

Here are the links to some places mentioned in the article: 

Copyright © 2006  UniOrb All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without special permission.