Category: Society

I found an interesting video, showing the exact moment when Japan changed from Showa (昭和) era to Heisei (平成) era in 1989 when Hirohito emperor died. It was the first time that a era change was broadcasted on TV:

Right now it’s the year 19 of Heisei’s era which is the same as 2007 in the western world. The era based system is only used in history books, in some newspapers, in coins/bills/stamps and also in official documents and forms where you have to input your date of birth depending on the era. For example I was born in the year 56 Showa (昭和). For other stuff they usually use the western system based on our current Christian era.

I wonder when we will change era in the western world…

Dannychoo talked about tipping in Japan compared with tips in the USA a while ago. In Japan you don’t need to tip, it’s easy compared with the United States system where you have to be always calculating tips. They should include the calculation in the receipt! I hate that even when you pay with credit card you have to be calculating the tip.

In Japan the “tip” is supposed to be included in the price. Once, I forgot one yen from the change, and when I was crossing the street I saw the guy from the shop following me to give me my yen! I learned the lesson. You could think that not having tips would make the costumer service worse than in other places, but it’s just the contrary. Costumer service in Japan is the best in the world. They treat you like a king, they are always doing reverences to you, smily faces everywhere, they always ask you about everything before proceeding, they use honorific language to talk to clients etc. The best customer service and no tips, I love it 🙂

Japan is a country where any kind of natural disaster can happen: tsunamis, earthquakes, typhoons… But they are also very aware of their problem and are “very” prepared in case of danger. For example, after you register in your city hall they give you a a big manual with detailed instructions about what you should do in case of emergency. One of the most important things you have to know is your assigned evacuation area in case you have to leave your home. Around Shinjuku, you can even find the evacuation maps on the streets, here are some of them:

Nishi-Shinjuku evacuation areas.

Some japanglish.

This is an “interactive” map, where you press the buttons and it shows you the best escape routes.