Comparing America and Japan

I had a fascinating and fantastic experience in my study abroad program to Japan this May 2019. As part of the program/course, I wrote a blog post on any topic of my choosing related to Japan. I chose to compare & contrast some aspects of life in America and Japan.

Here are my top 20 differences between the two countries based on my observations of transportation, people, and my experiences at the University of Tokyo and Azabu University:

TRANSPORTATION

All of Japan seems to be connected by transportation!
Japan’s transportation system to me is very complex, detailed, and efficient. There’s city buses, the bullet train (shinkansen), local trains/subways, and rapid express trains. It was intimidating to me at first because of all of the different lines and signs, but maps are helpful and so are the Japanese. Even when my friends and I were looking down at our phones for Google Maps, a few elderly individuals approached us to ask if we needed help. The transportation gets you places quickly too. Trains and buses come on time.

What plays a role in the efficiency is that people form lines for boarding transportation. In America, people form clumps or clusters, and not organized lines like in Japan.

Public WiFi is available almost exclusively at train stations in Japan.
It is extremely difficult to find WiFi to access at restaurants or stores, which is why tourists are suggested to purchase a pocket WiFi to have on hand when traveling. Meanwhile in the U.S., many places have WiFi. Not having widespread WiFi can be a barrier for travelers on a budget, because mobile routers are around $100 or more.

Japan’s transportation vehicles are so much cleaner and nicer than America’s. In Japan, subways and buses are brightly lit and have no litter at all. The stations in Japan are also incredibly well-kept. I usually see workers sweeping the floor in the stations to keep it clean and dust- and dirt-free. Meanwhile in America, I have seen stations visibly grimy; some have the wretched smell of urine. People did not clean up after themselves. I was so impressed by Japan’s transportation systems.

Buses in Japan have some differences; in some buses, you board in the front and pay the fare up front whereas in others, you board in the rear and pay as you leave from the front. From my experiences taking buses in America, I always board at the front of the bus and pay upon entering.

Japanese train/subway platforms often have gates to prevent people from getting onto tracks and rushing into the vehicle. These gates can prevent injuries and deaths. University of Tokyo students mentioned to me that some individuals die by suicide from getting hit by the subway/train. This is a troubling occurrence and relates to public health, as it is a population problem and social issue. Many Japanese in white-collar work are overworked and stressed to the point where they are pushed over the edge. From hearing these anecdotes, gates are one way to stop people from physically coming into contact with trains as they approach the platforms, but broader intervention must be done to treat people’s mental health, and the multiple factors behind their depression. On the other side of the world, American subway platforms do not appear to have these gates, from what I have seen. In my home country, train suicides are not a concern like in Japan. America does have incidences of people falling onto the tracks, whether it’s because of overcrowded platforms or people pushing each other.

In Japan’s subways, some cars are designated as “Women-only” during certain times of the day, as marked by the pink signs on the windows. Only women can enter these cars. Children are allowed in as well. This action is meant to address molestation on trains. When train cars inevitably get crowded and reach up to 250% capacity during rush hours, men and women are literally touching each other. This can be very uncomfortable. Therefore, “women-only cars” aim to create safer environments for women, and I have not experienced anything like it in the U.S., which is something we could consider.

In Japan, subway tickets get taken back by the machine, which can reduce waste! In Cleveland and Columbus, where I’ve taken public transportation, people can keep their train and bus tickets. These people could throw these tickets away and not necessarily recycle them. I feel that Japan recycles their tickets. In Japan, citizens can use plastic electronic cards to swipe through; during my program, we use the Pasmo card, which can be reloaded at any time. A smart card like the Pasmo can be found in some U.S. metropolitan cities, like Chicago or Los Angeles, but this is not widespread for all American cities. I would like this to be more prevalent so we can reduce the waste spent on making physical tickets.

A striking contrast is that Japan’s roads are paved so well and smoothly. I have not seen a single pothole in the country, whereas in the United States, potholes are aplenty, especially in Ohio. Potholes and general wear and tear of the roads make driving challenging; drivers have to maneuver around holes and their tires also take a toll. It is a public health hazard for drivers!

Sidewalks can be uneven and people can trip if they are not looking or stepping carefully enough, in both Japan and America. On our walk from the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center to the Yoyogi-koen Station, several of my peers have tripped at night from bumps in the sidewalk. This bumpy sidewalk can be a public health hazard to pedestrians, but injuries would not be too serious aside from scraped knees. Likewise, many sidewalks in America are not smooth or even, due to poor construction or just erosion from time. Sidewalks can rise at certain points and resemble stairs. Sometimes, sidewalks are nonexistent. These sidewalks would not be stroller or wheelchair friendly. Overall, Japan’s sidewalks have been great.

Speaking of the walk from our hostel to the station: when it is nighttime, I turn my phone’s flashlight on to light the ground and see where I am walking. More street lights could be implemented in certain areas for safety. Trees do line the paths, which are good for the environment and aesthetics, but can obstruct any lamps if there were any. Similarly, the U.S. could also add street lights in neighborhoods. This last school year, I walked 15 minutes from the bus stop to my home off-campus, and I felt slightly fearful. Back then, I turned on my phone’s flashlight too to help me see where I was going because it was so dark.

Bike racks by Japanese stations and universities can hold hundreds of bikes, which amazed me. In America, bike racks do not hold nowhere near that capacity! At my school, The Ohio State University, we need more bike racks. With 60,000 students enrolled at my school’s main campus, there should be a greater capacity for bikes. Having more spaces for bikes and scooters would be beneficial and encourage students to be more active while reducing their carbon footprint and emissions.

PEOPLE

Japan is a relatively homogenous country when it comes to races and ethnicities. As my peers and I were visiting cultural and historical landmarks, Japanese primary students were excited to see Westerners and foreigners. They took the opportunity to practice their English that they’ve been learning since elementary school. Some youth said to us, “Nice to meet you” and “Hello.” Meanwhile, America is very multicultural, with Americans hailing from hundreds of various races and ethnicities. It was a culture shock to come to Japan since it was the first time I went to a non-Western country and the first time I have ever been to Asia. It was also interesting though that Japanese advertisements/billboards have European/Caucasian American models.

Japanese people are very polite and respectful, and I do not see the same levels of etiquette in America. For example, when taking public transportation, Japanese are more mindful of space. They give priority seating to elderly, pregnant women, injured people, and people in vulnerable conditions. Two schoolboys were insisting on giving my peer a seat on the train, but she wanted them to take her spot. It was a cute encounter and an example of courtesy.

UNIVERSITY

Costs of going to college can differ drastically in Japan and in America. According to University of Tokyo (UTokyo) students, tuition is $5000 US dollars for the whole school year. At OSU, in-state tuition is about $10,000, so double that price! The UTokyo students went on to say that there is no tuition difference for out-of-state students or international students. Regardless of background or status, everyone pays the same tuition. (I wish that I had asked about scholarships for students who are low-income.)
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/university-of-tokyo-500

At Azabu University, a student told me from his research that more than half of university students live with their parents. Living in dorms are rare. Some students live in small apartments, which he said was 600 yen on average per month for rent. This is a contrast to OSU, where it’s mandatory for students to live in dorms for the first two years of undergraduate. (There are exceptions to this rule for students already living in Columbus, transfer students, etc.)

HEALTH

Japanese carry around handkerchiefs for restrooms, which often lack paper towels and hand dryers. This reduces waste and saves energy. It is also more sanitary than drying our hands on our clothes or flinging our hands. Our professor, Dr. Ibaraki, or as we call him, Ibaraki sensei, gave each of us a handkerchief with patterns of Mount Fuji. Likewise, people do not blow their noses in public because the noise can be distracting or a nuisance. It is a social norm to instead dab at the nose with a napkin or handkerchief.

Many Japanese wear surgical masks that cover their mouths for several reasons. While some may wear these face masks for fashion (the masks can come in different designs), there are practical purposes for their use. These masks can protect against the spread of germs. People who are sick and wear the masks can help prevent others from becoming contaminated. Additionally, people wear masks to reduce exposure to pollutants in the air.

In terms of body size, Japanese people tend to be more petite. I occasionally see overweight people and a few obese men. Generally speaking, Japanese are much more healthier looking than Americans.

Japanese people appear to be more physically active compared to American counterparts. I saw people of all ages riding bikes and walking. Elderly people get up around sunrise to hike and jog in the local parks. There’s ample space for bikes in the city. The country is not built for many cars. Additionally, people do considerable amounts of walking by taking public transportation. According to my public health studies, the built environment (how cities are designed and laid out) play significant roles in how people live their lives and their health habits.

Japanese women use umbrellas for shade from the sun’s UV rays; this does not happen in the U.S.. The Japanese women want to avoid tanning and increasing their risk for skin cancer. Furthermore, beauty standards prefer lighter skin and complexions as opposed to darker skin. However, Japanese men can be tan; I have not seen a Japanese man use an umbrella on a sunny day.

CONCLUSION
From my few weeks in Japan, there is a multitude of aspects to compare and contrast. The transportation sector was very unique and insightful. It appears that transportation is very efficient and stream-lined. People are able to travel throughout Japan within hours. The built environment of cities also contributes to people being physically active. Mothers ride bikes with babies in attached carriers. People walk their dogs. Sidewalks and roads in general are smooth. There are trees and flowers everywhere, so people get to enjoy nature and breathe cleaner air. College is affordable for students from different backgrounds. Students live with their parents for the most part to save money and to be with their family. Japanese people also take better care of themselves, and their lifestyle and cultural factors contribute to their health. They take public transportation daily and protect themselves from germs and the sun. Overall, the way that society is designed in Japan helps people maintain good health and community relationships.