There’s no doubt that Japan has a unique appeal to the rest of the world, and I believe it’s linked to a strong sense of orderliness.
There is an interesting phenomenon I’ve noticed about what exactly makes Japanese culture and society so appealing to the outside world. It’s a keen sense of orderliness that is derived from a culture of what I would call “detailed living.” A strange term I’ve coined (as of just now) to describe a way of life where much attention is given to details, as though the big picture of the small actions is always within view.
Unwavering Respect for the Rules
During my trip to Nara back in 2022, I had visited the Todaiji Temple coincidentally at the same time as a school excursion. At first, I was concerned that I had just wasted a few hundred yen on an entry ticket to what I was now expecting to be a rowdy and unpleasant visit thanks to these school kids. On the contrary, it was quite the opposite, and seeing how well-behaved these students were made for an even more enriching visit.
They were super mindful about not getting in the way of other visitors, they kept their voices low, and there was absolutely no roughhousing going on between students. The teacher was well-respected, and students earnestly followed instructions. On that note, I would also extend my praise to the teachers who managed to guide such a huge bunch of kids through a holy sacred site so harmoniously, with minimal noise or drama to disturb the public.
Orderliness is next to Cleanliness
When there is an inherent respect for the rules among the people, society feels much safer with a sort of unspoken understanding between one another. More so, the benefits of respecting rules which, after all, are designed with the highest ideals in mind, start to leak over into other areas, for example, cleanliness! A global rule that exists in all countries, the simple “no littering” rule, is respected to such a high degree in Japan that you’ll see some of the cleanest streets in the world here despite a significantly lower frequency of public bins.
The Customer Service Phenomenon
One of the most striking aspects of Japanese society is their relentless commitment to customer satisfaction. I believe this stems from a non-individualistic nature and belief system that prioritizes the collective over the self, a very non-ego way of life. As such, it’s not uncommon to find customer service representatives ready and willing to go above and beyond to ensure your contentment with your visit to their store.
More interestingly still, I find even the least enthusiastic representatives whose spirits are unquestionably at a low point will still say all the right things in terms of greeting customers, expressing politeness and manners, and thanking them for their visit. Indeed, a poor attitude from customer service representatives is so rare in Japan that you may never see it. Again, we can observe the mass effects of orderliness stemming from a great respect for the law and a non-egotistical way of life.
To learn more about life in Japan, check out my book: The Japanese Pursuit of Perfection. This book features my most profound observations of Japanese culture and society as a foreign resident. Available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover. Grab your copy today!