Following the Rules

Japan is a country of rules. Whether they are written rules or unspoken is not exactly relevant, they will be followed just the same. I am of course speaking in generalities, but if you’ve spent any time in Japan you’ll notice that the vast majority of its citizens follow society’s laws, a definite shock to those from America. These rules, and the ability to actually follow them, make Japan a peaceful and harmonious place even in big cities where there are 14,000 people / square mile. (4000/km^2 for those of you smart enough to know metric)


Much of what upsets me about Japan (which is not very much) stems from my desire to break rules and Japan not taking too kindly to that. In my head, rules are there for a reason: to govern people too stupid to know any better. Rules can also be broken when nobody is looking. In
Japan, the rules are for everyone. These rules, as a big picture provide a safe and cohesive Japan. The little picture involves it being 3 am with approximately 2 cars on the road, while people still wait for the light to tell you that its okay to cross the street. I certainly don’t do that, but many Japanese people do.

Even the more racist rules, like not letting us white folks in to bars and other establishments (usually bars where women are paid to talk to you), are followed without hesitation. It doesn't happen too often but it still stings every time I'm denied service for being white. But in the back of my mind I know that in the past some pompous businessmen came to Japan, couldn't keep their hands to themselves, and have forever ruined it for the rest of us.

In the wake of the recent earthquake/tsunami disaster, Japans conviction has been commended in many news reports. And speaking of news reports, there are rules for that too. Rather than
sensationalize the disaster (I’m looking at you CNN, FOX, NBC, everyone else), there is a method of reporting in which you give the facts and try to invoke as little panic as possible. This of course makes the news reports a little more boring, but it’s a nice feeling being able to listen to the news and actually believe some of what is being said.