AN IMMERSIVE JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTING THEIR UNPARALLELED DISCIPLINE, HUMILITY, AND DEDICATION.
The Japanese are outstanding and stand apart anywhere, in any situation. Japan was one of or perhaps THE BEST!!!\
Japanese people stand out and are in a class apart from all others, at a different higher level.
DISTINCT TRAITS AND MANNERISMS:
Some of their distinct traits are:
- They are not rude or crude.
- They are very disciplined.
- They take pride in their jobs.
- They always show humility and grace.
- They have a strong sense of appreciation of beauty.
- They are firm believers in Team Work.
- Their sense of National Pride is evident on all occasions in all locations and situations.
- They are very polite and courteous, all the time bowing, thanking, and apologizing.
Images are embedded in my mind about their humble behavior, noble gestures, sacrifice, care of others particularly those less fortunate or in difficulty, and so on.
- Fans and spectators cleaning a stadium after a match, even if their team lost.
- Customers putting back items on shelves of a supermarket in case of a power failure during a national calamity when the teller machines, weighing scales, etc were not working.
- Airline staff clean arriving passenger’s baggage assiduously and meticulously before it is loaded onto the conveyor belt in the arrivals hall, even though no one may be observing them.
- Airline staff take excellent care of baggage in all respects. For example, Osaka airport has a record of never having misplaced or lost any item.
- They show up for appointments or work before time and remain even after closing hours.
- While boarding or alighting from a train or plane, they do not push or shove, but allow others to proceed calmly and patiently.
- Shop assistants go out of their zone or line of duty to hep customers locate an item they may be looing for.
- Even unknown persons will not hesitate to show to a new person.
NO RETIREMENT PLAN:
One of the most beautiful things about Japan is that no one ever retires in this country — there is no Retirement Plan. One can see 80-90 year old people going to work by Metro or other forms of transportation or driving other people to their respective destinations by taxi, early in the morning. No work here is considered big or small. They do what they like, and keep themselves mentally and physically active. It gives them a sense of fulfillment, purpose, and belonging. They are neither lonely nor depressed. This is based on the principle of Ikigai which means the reason for being, the reason to wake up in the morning, a reason to not retire.
Japan has one of the highest life expectancies in the world. Their philosophy is that if you want to be happy, remain healthy, and live long, forget about retirement. Find something which you like and continue to do it till the last day of your life.
THE CURIOUS CASE:
Japanese people are keen adaptors of new technology. They are also motivated by a desire to reduce their impact on their fellow citizens while maintaining high standards of hygiene. It has been observed that the percentage of smokers in Japan has reduce more sharply than in other countries, and Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) has gained popularity. Japanese were very much amenable to try out a new electronic gadget which produce neither the smoke associated with combustible cigarettes nor the smell and ash. This has become known as THE CURIOUS CASE OF JAPANESE CESSATION! It is reported that cigarette sales halved in favor of HTPs. Alternatives to cigarettes like HTP heat sticks of tobacco to a temperature of not more than 350C have gained popularity. Heating tobacco to this level cases nicotine to be released as a vapor without combustion. This means that the level of toxic chemicals in the resulting vapor is much lower than in cigarette smoke.
RESILIENCE, PERSERVANCE, DETERMINATION, AND DEDICATION:
Despite having to bear the brunt of two atomic bombs — the impact as well as the after effects — Hiroshima recently hosted a meeting of religious leaders to discuss The Call of Rome to finalize a Code of AI Ethics for Peace.
A visit to towns like Kobe and Hiroshima showed how they were rebuilt and re-established after the devastation of natural (earthquakes) and man-made calamities (bombing). Everything appears now — buildings, bridges, roads, houses, etc.
JAPANESE WRITINGS:
The influence of Japanese writers has spread far and wide. Closer to home, The Devotion of Suspect X was adapted and made into a film Jaane Jaan, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Vijay Verma and others.
The story of Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window speaks of unconventional schooling that children during the second world War underwent. Since it was difficult to run schools during the war, classrooms had been set up in old railway roaches.
This story fascinated Mr, C.Jim Jesudoss, Executive DIrector of an NGO, Sakthi-Vidiyal. He converted and refurbished an old school bus, which was worn out and unfit for use, into a library. The bus seats were used as chairs, and the ‘bus’ library was set up at t he campus of Sakthi-VIdiyal at Muthupatti in Madurai. Children from underprivileged backgrounds often don’t have the luxury of buying books to read in leisure, so such a library with more than 300 books is a boon to them. It is also a good way to turn their attention away from phones and encourage and inculcate the habit of reading.
FUN FACTOID:
I wish I could have been to Japan earlier and had spent more time than a mere nine days. Even then, I collected and brought back very many happy and pleasant memories of the outstanding memorable time for which I was there. I hope to return at least once more, sooner than later.
