As countries continue to develop and produce more waste, the importance of effectively dealing with trash only rises. Pollution and contamination can severely impede a country's growth so sustainable management of trash is, therefore, a necessity for the functioning of society. In order to work, however, trash disposal practices must factor the country’s unique environmental situation and culture, and this is particularly evident in Japan and the United States whose disposal methods have accommodated its respective society’s needs and values.
In Japanese culture, the word mottainai encompasses the practice of treasuring and using things for as long as possible. Interesting enough, this practice has carried out even its disposal practices where conserving resources and recycling is of high priority. This is shown in Japan's extensive disposal system and its valiant efforts to make use of all their resources. During my time here, I have noticed an emphasis on recycling plastic specifically, which is often used in bedding, carpets, as well as other household material. However, not only do cultural factors play a vital role in how trash disposal is managed, but environmental factors as well.
In Japan, there is simply not enough physical space to store trash, thus incineration serves as the main waste disposal method. After the trash is burned, the ashes are typically discarded in the ocean, where it is compacted to create additional islands. Rather than waste reducing available space, Japan, in fact, is able to grow on its waste. A prime example of this is seen with the construction of Kansai Airport, which was built upon compacted waste. However, incineration of trash requires careful division between combustibles and non-combustibles. Due to Japan’s collectivist culture, it is able to establish a norm of appropriately disposing of items. From the household level, there is an expectation that people will comply with the given rules and adhere to the community’s standards. People diligently follow the procedures laid out by municipalities. Thus, there is a system where individuals, municipalities, and waste management companies work cohesively in order for this system to function well. Because incineration has been a common practice in Japan, typical problems that arise with incineration sites such as overproduction of hazardous dioxins have been mitigated with the development of technologies. Mechanisms such as air filters severely reduce these dioxin releases, and other pollution control facilities have emerged to reduce any environmental repercussions.
Source: The National
Compared to Japan, incinerating trash in American society is a rare occurrence. Japan has up to 1263 incinerator sites while the United States has a mere 71. In the United States, despite efforts to encourage recycling, it is nearly impossible to motivate people to properly separate their trash, making incineration extremely difficult. Incineration sites are also far less culturally acceptable in the U.S., and former efforts to build incineration sites near residential areas has been met with severe public resistance. Only states, such as Florida, whose proximity to the water level has caused it to rely on incineration, as it is nearly impossible to create a safe landfill. Because the United States holds vast amounts of land, it can afford to dispose of its trash in large landfill sites. Landfills, by far, are the main sites for disposal, where approximately 52% of trash is sent.
Source: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
While both the United States and Japan are both highly developed countries, with strong economies, and cutting-edge technology, because of both environmental and cultural differences, their methods of disposal differ. Japan’s small land size and collectivist culture have lent itself to incineration disposal methods while the U.S.’s massive area and public disapproval for incineration sites have led to landfill usage. Although problems can arise with both methods, so far, each method has worked for its respective country and improvements are being made to make each method more sustainable.
Over the past few decades, the amount of trash our society has generated has grown significantly. In an effort to preserve the environment, both the United States and Japan, both highly developed countries, have placed a tremendous effort into promoting recycling and reducing the amount of waste that is generated. However, through my time spent in both countries, it is clear that there are differences that exist in their approach to trash disposal.
Having traveled throughout Japan, it is evident that there are few trashcans in public areas. However, the streets remain in pristine condition as people carry their trash and dispose of it at home. Wherever there are trashcans, there are multiple containers where people can put their recyclable material. The trashcans are clearly labeled with pictures and diagrams, indicating the type of trash they contain. Typically, the containers are divided into plastic containers, bottles or cans, and combustible trash.
Trash cans at Kobe University.
Japan places great effort into properly separating trash. When I was in Hiroshima, I attended a festival where there were crowds of people celebrating. As I was walking along the streets, I noticed large trash containers that were being monitored by workers who were making sure the trash was correctly disposed of. Even in our Kobe University dormitory, there are trashcans that categorize specific materials, and these various types of trash have specific collection days and times. However, despite these efforts, I have noticed that there are not specific containers to dispose of cardboard or paper. These items tend to fall under the category of “combustible trash” and are incinerated with other trash. In the United States, although there is a greater presence of trashcans in public places, often times, they are not accompanied by a recycling bin. All trash tends to be placed in a single container. In areas that do encourage recycling, there is typically just a trashcan and a recycling bin to put all recyclable material. The material is not separated as thoroughly as it is in Japan.
A trash disposal area by Kobe University dorms.
Japan also has to tackle waste disposal from an alternate approach as there is a limited amount of space for large landfill sites. Waste management companies have thus resorted to incinerating their trash. Although in the past this has created an overproduction of dioxin emissions and has severely polluted the environment, new technologies have emerged to eliminate the dioxin in smoke. Other efforts such as using the heat generated from burning trash to produce electricity have increased the sustainability of Japan’s disposal of municipal solid waste. In the landfill sites that do exist, the landfills tend to be semi-aerobic, meaning that they provide partial exposure to natural air and contain pipes that help treat polluted water. This decreases the amount of greenhouse gases produced and allows the waste to stabilize faster so the area can later be transformed into areas such as parks. This was specifically seen at Sakai Solar Energy Generation Plant, which was formerly landfill site, but now holds thousands of solar panels. On the contrary, the United States has far more available land to serve as landfill sites and has disposed of the majority of its trash in these areas.
Solar panels at Sokai, a former landfill area.
Recycling, in all cases, decreases the waste stream that is produced. This is of particular importance in Japan because again, there is simply no space to hold a magnitude of trash. Japan’s densely populated cities make it even more imperative to reduce the amount of trash as high levels of trash could contaminate an area quickly. This, in turn, has impacted its disposal practices as trash is burned to reduce the amount of space it takes up. This has also led to its emphasis on recycling so that every material that is used does not go to waste.
As countries become greater aware of the impact waste can have on the environment, they have been placing a greater emphasis on reducing the amount of trash produced and creating laws to encourage reducing, reusing, and recycling. Although improvements can always be made in these systems, the United States and Japan have placed substantial effort to find a system that works for its own country’s needs.
Although Japan’s land size is the equivalent to that of Montana’s, it is still divided into multiple regions, each with a unique culture. Through my travels, I have been able to experience life in two of Japan’s major regions: Tokyo, including its surrounding metropolitan area, and Keihanshin, consisting of the cities of Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe. These two regions serve as stark contrasts of each other, as each area has distinct cultures and environments.
When I traveled within Tokyo, I was initially struck by the sheer number of people I was surrounded by. The streets were packed with swarms of people rushing from one place to the next. The picture below depicts the famous Shibuya crossing where Tokyo’s dense population is very much evident. Especially later in the day, trains are packed with people occupying every possible space, leaving little room to even breathe. The congestion in this region only continues to worsen as the region expands. In Keihanshin, the area is far less populated and has been experiencing population decline over the years. Because Tokyo has to accommodate its massive population and fast-paced environment, it prioritizes creating an efficient transportation system and incorporating the newest technologies. While the Keihanshin region certainly has superb transportation, I have noticed that many of the trains appear to slightly outdated, with less technological advancements, and longer wait times.
The crowds at Shibuya crossing.
Tokyo is also a global city, serving as the headquarters for a multitude of major corporations, which has attracted a middle-aged professional population. Thus, their culture is very much work-oriented and has formed a rigid atmosphere. Everyone appears to be consumed with the work ahead of them. There is always someone to meet or someplace to be, contributing to a rushed environment. Interestingly enough, a fellow classmate from Kobe University mentioned how owning a Suica card, the transit fee card typically used in Tokyo as opposed to the Icoco card used in Keihanshin, is often associated with a stuck-up nature.
View of Tokyo from a government building.
In Keihanshin, life moves slower. Rather than seeing businessmen rushing to catch the next train, it is typical to see elderly women strolling to a nearby grocery store. Because Tokyo has been subjected to the forces of globalization, it is often indistinguishable from other major global cities with its landscape boasting of high-rises and other corporate building. On the other hand, places such as Kyoto have more distinctive characteristics and local flavor with its plethora of traditional temples and shrines. Instead of tall skyscrapers, there tend to be more small stores and residential areas, as well.
A residential area in Kyoto.
As with many countries, regional differences are particularly evident in the dialect that is used. For example, in Keihanshin, the word for “different” is chau, while it is chigau in the Tokyo megaregion. These linguistic differences are immediate ways that indicate which community an individual is a part of.
Upon discussions with the Kobe University students, it is evident that people strongly identify with their respective region. Similar to Japan, in the United States, people have strong ties to their region. Having lived in both California and in Georgia, I am familiar with both the West Coast and Southern culture. Just how in Japan, there is a particular dialect used in Keihanshin, in the South, the Southern drawl and the excessive usage of the word “y’all” distinguishes it from other regions of the United States. Because of the different historical and geographical features across regions, differences in culture and customs are bound to happen. Although regionalism appears to be similar in Japan and the United States, one possible difference could be seen in politics. In the United States, the South is generally more conservative, adhering to the Republican party while the West is typical more liberal and more supportive of the Democratic party. From my understanding, there does not seem to be clear regional differences in terms of political affiliations; however, it may be just because I have not resided in Japan long enough to understand its political climate.
Despite Japan’s homogeneity, each region has defining qualities, as evidenced by the differing atmospheres in Tokyo and Keihanshin. As I live here, I am learning more and more about the nuances of Japanese culture, and it has been absolutely fascinating.
Robots, gadgets, high-speed trains . . . Whenever I think of Japan, its advanced technology immediately comes to mind. Japan is known around the world for its technological development. Having now been in Japan for three weeks, I can attest that Japan’s incorporation smart technology has transformed and continues to transform the living experience within their cities.
In Japan, smart technologies are particularly seen through the development of ECO cycles and ECO parks. With these technologies, a simple scan of a card provides access to a compact entrance that transports vehicles to an underground parking lot. These parking lots can store hundreds of bicycles and cars, so high parking capacity is achieved in a small space. Rather than creating clutter, the entrance is designed to suit the surrounding environment, harmonizing with the landscape rather than clashing with it. Utilizing this technology also creates more comfortable walking spaces and increases the convenience of city parking.
The entrance of the ECO Cycle.
Japan’s transit system is another prime area where smart technology is incorporated. During my first week in Japan, I rode a monorail, where the front of the train was completely empty as it was entirely operated by an AI system. Technology is now shifting towards automated rather than manual control, which provides greater precision and reduces problems that can emerge from human error. Within the transit sector, smart technology is also seen in advancements made with the Suica card, a card typically used to pay transit fees. This card can now be added as a digital card on Apple Wallet, allowing users to simply place their phone on the card reader to enter or exit a station. Around a week ago, I paired my Suica card to my own phone, and I have been able to add money to my account and keep track of expenses with a couple of taps. This has created an even more seamless traveling experience.
Screenshot from my Apple Wallet.
Smart technology is also incorporated within the train stations themselves. In the underground mall at Tokyo Station, there was a robot that was able to respond to questions asked in English. Particularly when we asked where a ramen restaurant was located, it quickly provided a map with directions. Service robots are now able to communicate with users over multiple languages, which provides easy-to-access information. Especially in a place such as Tokyo, which hosts a large number of tourists, having technology that readily provides important information is vital.
A service robot at Tokyo Station.
While Japan is most definitely at the forefront of technological developments, there do exist areas where the inclusion of additional technology could be used to create an even smarter city. When I first arrived at the Kobe University dormitory, I was shown the trash disposal area. Our guide emphasized how important it was to separate our recyclable material into the appropriate categories because there was a worker who was tasked with ensuring the trash was sorted correctly. This is an extremely tedious process; thus, technology could be further developed to introduce robots that are able to sort the material to improve efficiency. Additionally, while there are some service robots already implemented in various stations, service robots can also be placed in other touristy areas such as by gardens or castles. Often times, these areas are inundated with visitors and accessing information can be difficult; therefore, having service robots that would be able to communicate and provide answers in various languages would beneficial.
Over these past few weeks, I have been making a multitude of observations of Japanese lifestyle, accumulating countless examples of both smart and sustainable development. While like with all countries, there are areas where improvements can be made, there still is much to be learned from how Japan plans its cities. Japan is a key player in the production and incorporation of smart technology, and it continuously makes advancements to improve society.
On my way from Tokyo to Kyoto, I had the privilege of riding the Shinkansen, the pinnacleof efficient Japanese transportation. This sleek, high-speed vehicle allows for passengers to travel across the country within hours. This particular train provides comfort and convenience that surpass those of trains around the world.
The quality of the Shinkansen is obvious upon first entering it. The interior closely resembles an airplane with overhead space to store luggage, bathrooms for each cart, tables attached to the back of seats, and moveable armrests. However, unlike most planes, the Shinkansen provides plenty of leg room and spacious seats, providing maximal comfort. Even the aisles are wider, allowing staff members to easily move down the train with carts of food for sale. There are also additional amnesties such as outlets for charging phones and laptops. The train itself it extremely fast, moving smoothly at around 250 miles per hour.
The patrons on the vehicle were polite, and volume levels remained low, adhering to the quiet nature of Japanese culture. The timeliness of the Shinkansen was up to par with the rest of trains in Japan. My ticket specified that the train would depart at 5:33 PM, and the train did indeed leave precisely at 5:33. Finding the Shinkansen and accessing the station was not a problem. The Shinkansen was located in the same station as local trains, allowing for convenient transfers. Information was also easily accessible with a screen in the front of the cart with real-time information of upcoming stops. There was also an overhead speaker announcing updates in both Japanese and English.
I have ridden trains in several other countries, but none of them compare to the speed and quality of the Shinkansen. The MARTA train in Atlanta is notorious for being dangerous with its often rowdy passengers. I and the majority of my friends would never take MARTA alone, but in Japan, even elementary school children ride the transit by themselves. It is also extremely difficult to find information on MARTA's schedule, and more often than not, it is more convenient to opt for other modes of transportation. When I visited Europe, I was impressed with its extensive train system that could take me just about anywhere, yet the trains did not maintain the cleanliness that characterizes Japanese trains, and whenever I would travel, I was constantly on alert for pickpocketers. I, however, would have none of those concerns when riding the Shinkansen. In Korea, while it is easy to navigate the transit system, the trains tend to have a noisier atmosphere, and they lack the speed and comfort of the Shinkansen.
While I love traveling, often times traveling long distances can be an excruciating experience. It is insane that Japan is able to provide a train that is able to take you across the country within a couple of hours with comfort levels that far surpass those of an airplane. Technology and innovation have transformed the traveling experience and most definitely have “shrunk” distances. Japan’s Shinkansen lies at the top of these cutting edge technologies, and I’m so glad I was able to experience it first-hand!
As our train departed from Tokyo to Fukushima, the hustle and bustle of the city made way for the quieter, slower paced life of the countryside. It was particularly fascinating to note the differences in sustainability between a mega-region like Tokyo and a city outside a mega-region, such as Fukushima. It was evident that both cities prioritize sustainability, but the aspects of sustainability they choose to focus on differ.
Tokyo, a mega-region, focuses mainly on accommodating its ever-growing population. Everyone has somewhere to go and somewhere to be. In order to relieve congestion and preserve the city, it allocates a tremendous amount of resources to develop sustainable forms of transportation (such as transits and bicycle riding) to maintain the orderliness of the city. On the other hand, places such as Fukushima, which are not as populated and have endured the brunt of natural disasters and nuclear explosions, has placed a greater emphasis on renewable energy. This is seen in the number of solar panels being built to generate electricity, and the city’s goal to rely 100% on renewable energy. Rather than high rises and malls populating the area, the region outside the main cities consists of small homes and gardens by the sea. The natural environment is much more prominent in this area, and efforts to both clean and preserve it are of high priority, especially as the nuclear meltdown has contaminated the area. Often times, it is a drastic event that brings about change, and it was this momentous period in Japanese history that spurred a movement toward achieving renewable energy.
I remember first hearing about the tsunami and earthquake in Japan when I was ten. I was devastated that this happened, but I do not think I ever truly understood the impact of these disasters. Visiting Fukushima in person and hearing the stories of those whose lives were affected brought a new perspective to this issue. In March 2011, both natural disasters and the nuclear plant meltdown forced people to flee their homes. My study abroad group visited abandoned elementary schools, where the classrooms remained exactly how they were left. While some were fortunate to escape the tsunami in time, many were not.
Despite the tragedies that occurred, the government and its people were determined to rebuild and restore their town. Slowly but surely, new train stations and railroads are beginning to open up, and new homes are being constructed. During our tour, we had the opportunity to visit the home of our tour guide’s father. He had lived in Fukushima his entire life but had to evacuate in 2011, and after many years, he was finally able to return home. Like our tour guide’s father, many of the elderly were able to return to the place where they grew up.
The resilience of the community was also seen in the younger generation. Being able to visit the high school in Fukushima was an uplifting experience as we were able to witness a group of students who were extremely motivated to help their community grow. Many of the students experienced bullying as a result of their displacement as their classmates would shun them for coming from a contaminated area. Despite the cruelty of their classmates, many students have been able to rise up and use their skills to benefit their community. Especially at Futaba Future High School, the faculty was set on coming alongside the students and providing them with a quality education.
Change is evident even within Japanese companies. The Japanese company, TEPCO, held enormous responsibility for the nuclear plant meltdown that occurred in 2011. Before the tsunami hit, they were determined to develop their nuclear plants as quickly as possible. However, their desire to do so came with serious repercussions. Rather than building a sea wall or building the nuclear plants on higher ground, they opted for what was easier and faster. After the disaster that ensued, they were extremely apologetic. We had the opportunity to visit their center, and they explained how they are currently using technology to remove debris and fuel from the ocean. Additionally, they are working on creating specialized suits to protect those working in the exclusion zones, areas severely affected by radioactive material. Although TEPCO’s original approach proved to be severely unsustainable, they are now making a conscious effort to improve their safety precautions for both people and the environment.
While I am not sure what I expected from visiting Fukushima, I am certain that this has been one of the most impactful trips. It brought another dimension to an event that I had only heard about in the news. It was also extremely interesting to be able to see how this community is addressing various challenges and how this event has shifted the way it addresses sustainability.
Over the course of this past week, by attending lectures and familiarizing myself with the Japanese transportation system, I have gained greater insight on various approaches to sustainable and effective transportation. There are notable differences between sustainable transportation between the United States and Japan. The United States relies heavily on private transportation, which does not prove to be sustainable as the majority of the time people drive in cars that are not fully occupied. This results in an unnecessarily high number of cars on the road, increasing emission levels and crowding roads. As a student from the busy city of Atlanta, I can attest that commuting to and from the city is absolutely horrendous with the tremendous amount of traffic. However, despite this inconvenience, the alternate option of public transportation is a nightmare. Atlanta’s MARTA system has time after time has proven to be unreliable with buses failing to arrive on time and trains with seats that are falling apart at the seams. The lack of prioritization on public transportation has only discouraged its usage and has increased preference towards private, less sustainable transportation.
A MARTA Breeze card, which I have used once over the past year
On the contrary, the majority of transportation in Japan consists of public transportation or non-motorized forms of transportation, with as little as 10% of transportation involving usage of motorized vehicles. Private companies invest vast amounts of funds Japan’s extensive metro system, which furthers its development and efficiency. This has made public transportation the preferred option for Japanese residents, and even as a tourist here, I have only used the transit system and my own two feet to get around. Because Japan is so densely populated, most development is concentrated in one area, making walking to and from places extremely easy. Biking is another popular option for Japanese residents, and even on busy streets, I have noticed people traveling on bicycles. These forms of transportation are far more sustainable options and minimize the number of vehicles with unused space.
Traveling within a Japanese rail station
There exist seven elements of providing an effective transit service, which Japan’s transit system serves as an excellent model for. These characteristics are that it takes me where I want to go, takes me when I want to go, is a good use of my time, is a good use of my money, respects me, I can trust it, and gives me the freedom to change my plans. The first element of it taking me where I go involves providing stops that are proximate to the destination as well as allowing passengers to connect to stops. However, the timing of the trains also has to appropriately serve its users. It is important the transit offers a convenient train schedule and minimizes wait time. It must be a good use of time by providing speedy transportation with minimal delays. Effective transit is also a good use of money, providing an affordable and cost-efficient option. The transit must also ensure safety as well as be a reliable service. The last element of an effective transit involves giving freedom to change plans, which means providing a network that is simple and easy to learn and remember. Even with amazing features in place, they will be rendered useless if the users cannot easily navigate and understand how the system works. Although Japan meets the criteria of an effective transit system, it is actively working to improve these elements to maintain the system’s top-notch service.
Informational signs within a Japanese rail station
JR East is a railway company that conducts extensive research to continually improve the functionality and sustainability of the railways in Japan. They provided my study abroad group a tour of their facility, where we were able to learn about their latest initiatives. In light of a recent derailment accident, they are currently focusing on developing a car location detection system and a warning system that alarms when there is an imbalance in the wheels. This works to improve both the safety and reliability of the transit system. This company is also researching ways to use renewable energy sources and create power storage systems to eliminate any wasted energy. Additionally, they are working to create a train with an even higher speed than the current high-speed Shinkansen train. This is working toward further saving the time of its users. Japan is clearly putting in admirable effort to create a superb transportation system. Their efforts to create more sustainable transportation has most definitely encouraged me to strive towards a path toward sustainable transportation back in the United States.
Over the course of this past week, by attending lectures and familiarizing myself with the Japanese transportation system, I have gained greater insight on various approaches to sustainable and effective transportation. There are notable differences between sustainable transportation between the United States and Japan. The United States relies heavily on private transportation, which does not prove to be sustainable as the majority of the time people drive in cars that are not fully occupied. This results in an unnecessarily high number of cars on the road, increasing emission levels and crowding roads. As a student from the busy city of Atlanta, I can attest that commuting to and from the city is absolutely horrendous with the tremendous amount of traffic. However, despite this inconvenience, the alternate option of public transportation is a nightmare. Atlanta’s MARTA system has time after time has proven to be unreliable with buses failing to arrive on time and trains with seats that are falling apart at the seams. The lack of prioritization on public transportation has only discouraged its usage and has increased preference towards private, less sustainable transportation.
A MARTA Breeze card, which I have used once over the past year
On the contrary, the majority of transportation in Japan consists of public transportation or non-motorized forms of transportation, with as little as 10% of transportation involving usage of motorized vehicles. Private companies invest vast amounts of funds Japan’s extensive metro system, which furthers its development and efficiency. This has made public transportation the preferred option for Japanese residents, and even as a tourist here, I have only used the transit system and my own two feet to get around. Because Japan is so densely populated, most development is concentrated in one area, making walking to and from places extremely easy. Biking is another popular option for Japanese residents, and even on busy streets, I have noticed people traveling on bicycles. These forms of transportation are far more sustainable options and minimize the number of vehicles with unused space.
Traveling within a Japanese rail station
There exist seven elements of providing an effective transit service, which Japan’s transit system serves as an excellent model for. These characteristics are that it takes me where I want to go, takes me when I want to go, is a good use of my time, is a good use of my money, respects me, I can trust it, and gives me the freedom to change my plans. The first element of it taking me where I go involves providing stops that are proximate to the destination as well as allowing passengers to connect to stops. However, the timing of the trains also has to appropriately serve its users. It is important the transit offers a convenient train schedule and minimizes wait time. It must be a good use of time by providing speedy transportation with minimal delays. Effective transit is also a good use of money, providing an affordable and cost-efficient option. The transit must also ensure safety as well as be a reliable service. The last element of an effective transit involves giving freedom to change plans, which means providing a network that is simple and easy to learn and remember. Even with amazing features in place, they will be rendered useless if the users cannot easily navigate and understand how the system works. Although Japan meets the criteria of an effective transit system, it is actively working to improve these elements to maintain the system’s top-notch service.
Informational signs within a Japanese rail station
JR East is a railway company that conducts extensive research to continually improve the functionality and sustainability of the railways in Japan. They provided my study abroad group a tour of their facility, where we were able to learn about their latest initiatives. In light of a recent derailment accident, they are currently focusing on developing a car location detection system and a warning system that alarms when there is an imbalance in the wheels. This works to improve both the safety and reliability of the transit system. This company is also researching ways to use renewable energy sources and create power storage systems to eliminate any wasted energy. Additionally, they are working to create a train with an even higher speed than the current high-speed Shinkansen train. This is working toward further saving the time of its users. Japan is clearly putting in admirable effort to create a superb transportation system. Their efforts to create more sustainable transportation has most definitely encouraged me to strive towards a path toward sustainable transportation back in the United States.
Over the past few days, I have had the opportunity to experience Tokyo’s mass transit system. This transit system is known for being the largest in the world, and it is planned effectively to accommodate Tokyo’s dense population. I was initially amazed at how the transit system was extremely easy to navigate. There were signs everywhere to direct passengers where to go. In fact, there were multiple signs placed overhead, on walls, and even on poles to indicate where specific platforms were. The color of the signs also corresponded to the color of the line on the map, as shown with the lime green Yamanote sign below. These signs included English translations, which I appreciated as a non-Japanese speaker. Even on the train itself, there were screens that clearly indicated the train’s next few stops, with an overhead speaker also announcing the upcoming destination. Maps were also placed at every corner of the station, which allowed passengers to find an optimal route for their individual travels. Apps such as Google Maps even provided specific suggestions on which car to take in order to arrive at the closest exit. Information was very much accessible for both natives and tourists alike.
An important aspect of effective transit services is reliability, and Japan’s public transit system provides this reliability with its timeliness. As shown in the picture below, the signs specified the time of arrival of various trains. The station ensured that those trains did indeed arrive at the times provided. Additionally, the wait time was minimal as trains would arrive frequently. I think we waited a maximum of around ten minutes for a train to arrive! Within the station, there were also various lines owned by different operators. However, I still was able to use my same Suica card to pay for each trip so I could not even tell that a different operator was being used. The seamlessness of this system provided a smooth traveling experience.
The stations were crowded with people rushing to work or students traveling to school. However, despite the busyness of the stations, it was not chaotic as you may expect. Before the train arrived, people stood in single file lines by the entrances. There were also arrows on the ground and on the walls to direct the flow of people. In order to reduce the frantic rush of people, the rail operators also played hassha melodies, which are short jingles played when the train is about to depart. These calming sounds prevented the frenzy that usually occurs. At some stations, there were also high-frequency sounds that were emitted. Apparently, these sounds can only be heard by younger individuals and are designed to prevent loitering. I was able to hear these sounds in person, and I can confirm that these sounds do in fact serve as a deterrent. Therefore, despite the mass number of people that the transit serves, there are mechanisms in place that prevent disorder from occurring.
Overall, I was thoroughly impressed by Tokyo’s transit system. Its ease of use and its precise timing made navigating Japan a much more pleasant experience. The ingenuity that went into creating this transit system is incredible, and I am privileged to be able to reap its benefits. As I continue my study-abroad program in Japan, I am excited to continue to partake in this convenient form of transportation.
