A Nation Worth Global Respect

Japan was recently defeated by Belgium in World Cup, yet praised by global press for their disciplined and cooperative attitudes. Fans stayed to collect trash at the stadium, while the athletes' changing room were well kept. This once again reinforced my impression with Japanese during my last trip there. More than a week after leaving the country, images of packed subway platform at 11:30pm, smiling service people, helpful passers-by, and well-organized systems still lingered. Japanese are well-known for their self-discipline, but I didn't know how friendly, kind, and welcoming they are at the same time. A country so impressive in every aspect that I can't resist writing about!

Talking of intricacy and detailed calculation, their public transportation system seems like the most complicated in the world. The trains, buses, and subway routes create dense intersections on the map. To me, their stations are even busier than New York, but everything is so clean and neat. Public toilets, despite the long lines every time, are dry and polished. The trains are filled with mostly students, workers, and tourists, where pickpockets and beggars are nowhere to be seen!

The vibrant but well-organized night market in Osaka

Also at these stations, I realized busy, stressful work life in Japan is not a myth. At almost 12am, the platforms were still packed with suits and ties. It's part of their culture not to leave the office before their bosses do, which explains why many companies are now establishing Good Friday that allows early office closure on the weekends.

But don't let this paint a dull picture of Japan in your mind! I used to think Japanese are cold and distant, but this assumption changed completely once I got to know the locals more. Everywhere I travel, I try to generalize locals by a common characteristic. For Japanese, it was honesty and kindness.

• A taxi driver in Kyoto used a translation app to give us recommendations (and discuss the political situation between China and the world). As we happened to ride with him the second day, he even turned off the taximeter to save us money before reaching the destination. When we walked the opposite directions from where we should head to, the old man jumped off the cab and took us straight to the entrance. Although we kept conversing in different languages, we understood each other through the voice of appreciation and kindness!

Dad's failed attempt at using the translation app

• A young woman in Tokyo offered to take us to the Palace, since she couldn't speak English well enough to tell us the way. Even though we told her she didn't have to, she still tried to use body language to explain the directions.

• I left my purse with my passport in the public restroom and it was totally safe (even though I got in trouble with my parents for being careless lol).

• Children were everywhere, running, laughing, and enjoying themselves! A group of kindergarten kids, once retrieved by their parents, waved bye bye to the leaving school bus. I can't help imagining how much these tiny boys and girls will contribute as they become the future generation. Wherever there are children, a bright future awaits!

• Any grocery store exhibits their products at the front while the cashier was way at the back. Even without a security guard and camera, they operate on human trust. The result? Nothing stolen!

One of the largest stores at Dotonbori, Osaka

I know every country has its dark side, but during these 7 days, Japan's been flawless to me. No matter what darkness they may hold, Samurai spirit is still worth global respect. It's a blessing to witness how they managed to preserve discipline, honesty, and responsibility through thousands of years in history.