General facts about Japan

The safest developed country is also a leading nation in innovation and technology: from its fast and safe trains to its robotics, electronics and speedy internet environment. The country is also known for its human touch: omotenashi (hospitality), safety, polite society, humility, modesty, and the green and sustainable economy. Go there and experience all of these yourself!

Safety

  • Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. The crime rate is lower than all other developed countries.
  • Guns are banned to the public. Police officers carry a gun.
  • In 2008 the gun related homicide rate was 0%.
  • All swords must be registered, and they are quite rare.
  • The murder rate (rate per 100,000 population per year) in Japan is 0.3% and this is ranked the 4th safest in the world. South Africa's murder rate is 31%, the 195th in the world.
  • The robberies rate (rate per 100,000 population per year) in Japan is 0.004%, ranked the 10th safest in the world. South Africa is 0.5%, ranked the 102th in the world.
  • If you drop a cellphone in the street or leave behind a hand bag on a bus, you will most likely get it back.

Etiquette

  • Never, never, never tip.
  • Never, never, never open the door of a taxi as it always opens and closes automatically for you.
  • When on an escalator move to a side (usually you stand on the left hand side) to let others pass.
  • Bowing is an important etiquette.
  • Usually before eating a meal say "itadakimasu" to express gratitude for all who played a role in preparing the food.
  • After the meal say "gochiso sama deshita."
  • Take your shoes off at the entrance of all homes (this is very important).
  • The contrast between a person's true feelings and desires (inner life) and the behaviour and opinions that person displays in public (outer appearance) are big, and this plays an important role in the society.
  • There are so many Japanese etiquette practices: most of them totally foreign to non-Japanese. Although foreigners are forgiven for not practising all the manners, it is strongly advised to do some research and try to do as much as you can as this will usually lead to better relationship between you and the Japanese counterpart.
  • Good reads:
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etiquette_in_Japan
  • http://www.wikihow.com/Practice-Good-Manners-in-Japan
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honne_and_tatemae
  • http://awshamecultureinjapan.blogspot.com/

    • Economy

    • Japan is the 3rd/4th biggest economy in the world.
    • Japan is the world's 3rd largest automobile manufacturing country, has the largest electronics goods industry, and is often ranked among the world's most innovative countries leading several measures of global patent filings.
    • The minimum wage is about R80/hour. Working at McDonald's or working as a rubbish collector earns you about R100/hour.
    • The average social benefit (unemployment benefit) is about R15,000/month per house hold.
    • Transparency International ranks Japan 18th globally in terms of its corruption index. South Africa is ranked 72nd.

    Demographics

    • Japan's 127.3 million population is more than double that of South Africa.
    • In Japan there are 12 cities that have a population of more than 1 million. The highest is Tokyo with more than 13 million.
    • 98.5% of the population is Japanese, making the country pretty much a one-race nation.
    • In Japan everyone speaks Japanese.
    • Although English is generally taught at schools (from age of 13), most Japanese cannot speak English. This is because the English education in Japanese schools is geared towards helping the students to pass the written university entrance exams, and it is not focused on practical communication. Often Japanese people have a fear of making mistakes in public (Japanese are often shy and also their culture puts emphasis on maintaining a good appearance/reputation) so they opt not to speak in English.
    • The literacy rate is almost 100%.
    • Most Japanese do not identify themselves with a single religion; rather, they incorporate elements of various religions in a syncretic fashion. Many Japanese pick and choose religious practices and customs from different religions (mostly Shinto, Buddhism and Christianity), often not knowing the religious meanings behind them. Here are some of the religious practices commonly observed in Japan:
  • On New Year's Day visit a Shinto shrine to make a wish for the coming year.
  • In August, observe a period of "Obon" - a Buddhist custom to honour the spirits of one's ancestors.
  • Christmas is celebrated commercially. Gift giving is common and Father Christmas visits children.
  • Weddings commonly take place at a church/chapel with a priest who is often just an actor.
  • A lot of Japanese homes have a small Buddhist shrine.
  • A cross is commonly worn as a piece of jewellery.
  • Funerals are often conducted in the Buddhist fashion, and a tombstone is erected at a Buddhist temple.
  • Chocolate Easter eggs are popular amongst kids.

    • Geography

    • Japan lies on the far eastern edge of Asia, and consists of 4 main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku. These four islands span across over 1,800 km.
    • The distance between Johannesburg to Tokyo is about 13,500 km.
    • Japan’s total area is roughly the same size as Northern Cape and Japan has a population of more than double that of South Africa.
    • Neighbouring countries include Russia, South Korea, China and Taiwan. Here is a list of flying times from Japan to these countries:
  • Tokyo (Japan) to Beijing (China) = 3 hours
  • Tokyo (Japan) to Seoul (South Korea) = 2 hours and 30 minutes
  • Fukuoka (Japan) to Taipei (Taiwan) = 2 hours and 15 minutes
  • Sapporo (Japan) to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (Russia) = 1 hour 20 minutes
    • Japan has no land border.
    • 72% of Japan is forested, mountainous, and unsuitable for agricultural, industrial, or residential use. As a result the habitable zones have extremely high population densities.
    • Japan is in the northern hemisphere and its four seasons are distinctive. Spring (March to May), Summer (June to August), Autumn (September to November), Winter (December to February)
    • The climate varies greatly from north to south. Summers in the south of Japan are hot and humid (similar to the KZN summers), while the north of Japan experiences mild weather. Winters in the north of Japan bring a lot of snow. Japan has hosted both summer and winter Olympic Games.
    • The most northern island of Hokkaido gets one of the best quality of snow for skiing/snowboarding.
    • Okinawa in the south of Japan boasts an intriguing marine ecosystem and is a popular destination for diving/snorkelling. It is said that approximately 200 of the world's 800 species of coral inhabit the ocean around Okinawa.

    Miscellaneous

    • Samurais and Ninjas no longer exist.
    • China, Taiwan and Korea are very, very different to Japan. With regards to language, Japanese and Chinese/Korean cannot communicate with one another. Although there are some similarities, most of the cultures, economic climates, and foods are quite different.
    • Some of the well-known Japanese exports include:
  • Pokemon, Dragon Ball, Naruto, Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba, Sharp, Pilot (stationary), YKK (zips), Canon, Ricoh, Sanyo, Nikon, FujiFilm, Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Infiniti, Honda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Daihatsu, Isuzu, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Ryobi, Seiko, Casio, Citizen (watches), Manga, Cos-play, Bonsai, Tamagocchi, Sushi, Ramen noodles, Instant noodles, Wasabi, Kikkoman soy sauce, TV game shows etc...
    • Japan's press freedom is ranked 22nd in the world by the Transparency International. South Africa is ranked 42nd.

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