Illustration of high life expectancy in Japan Life expectancy in Japan is indeed one of the highest in the world, and this phenomenon has attracted the attention of many people, both domestically and internationally. In this article, we will discuss in detail the factors that contribute to the high life expectancy in Japan, as well as some aspects of culture and lifestyle that support this phenomenon. Factors Causing High Life Expectancy in Japan One of the main factors contributing to the high life expectancy in Japan is its excellent healthcare system. Japan has one of the best universal healthcare systems in the world, with all citizens and permanent residents having access to quality healthcare. The Japanese government has invested heavily in healthcare infrastructure, from hospitals to public health clinics. With easy access and affordable costs, the Japanese people can get the healthcare they need without having to worry about high costs. In addition, the Japanese people are known to have a high level of health awareness. They often undergo regular health checks, and this culture strongly supports disease prevention. Public health programs, such as annual health checks and vaccinations, are encouraged by the government to ensure that the community stays healthy. Awareness of the importance of […]
Shinkansen (Pixabay.com/PeterW1950) Japan is known for its efficient, clean, and punctual public transportation system. Learning how to use it is key to having a smooth journey. This article will walk you through the steps from purchasing a ticket to understanding the different modes of transportation and their etiquette. Buying Transportation Tickets Japan’s ticketing system is varied, but generally easy to understand. Know what mode of transportation you’ll be using first, as ticket purchasing methods vary. Single Ticket: A ticket for a single journey. You can buy one at the vending machines that are usually available at stations. These machines usually speak English, Japanese, and sometimes other languages. Simply select your destination, buy a ticket, and it will come out. Insert the ticket into the gate and pick it up at the other end. It’s a good idea to always have cash on hand when purchasing tickets, as many machines still don’t accept credit cards. Day Pass: If you plan to use public transportation for a day in a specific area (for example, only in Tokyo or Kyoto), a day pass will save you money. These tickets are available for different regions and modes of transportation. You can buy them at stations or at information counters. IC Card (Suica/Pasmo): Highly recommended prepaid card. Suica and Pasmo are the two most commonly used cards throughout Japan. You can top up […]
Tokyo cityscape (Pixabay.com/Pharaoh_EZYPT) Japan, a country located in East Asia, is known as one of the countries with a thriving entertainment industry. One of the biggest entertainment products from Japan is anime. Anime is an animated film that originates from Japan and has become a worldwide phenomenon. With a variety of genres and interesting stories, anime is able to attract the attention of people of all ages and backgrounds. Is Life in Japan Like in Anime? This question often arises in the minds of anime fans from all over the world. The answer, of course, is much more complex than just “yes” or “ideal”. Japan as seen in anime is often an idealized, filtered, and modified representation for entertainment purposes. However, some aspects of everyday life in Japan do reflect elements often depicted in anime, while others are completely different. Let's explore further. School and Student Life Anime often features schools with unique uniforms, diverse extracurricular clubs, and fierce inter-school rivalries. In reality, school uniforms are common in Japan, and there are a variety of extracurricular clubs, from sports to arts and culture. However, the intensity of competition and drama depicted in anime is often exaggerated. School life in Japan places more emphasis on study and discipline, although there are also […]
Japan (Pixabay.com/Kanenori) Japan is not only famous for its culture but also for its security, making it one of the safest countries in the world. This makes people feel safe when traveling or living in Japan. The following is a discussion of why Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. How Safe is Japan? Japan is famous for its security, making it one of the safest countries in the world, but how safe is Japan. According to crime statistics by UNODC, the murder rate in Japan is 0.31. In addition, the robbery rate in Japan is 2.41. The crime rate is mainly expressed as the number of annual crimes per 100,000 people. Assuming a community lives in a city in Japan with a population of 100,000 people, there are almost no murders in the neighborhood and less than three robberies occur in a year. This shows that Japan is a country with a very small number of murders and robberies. Japan has a very low crime rate compared to many other countries. Violent crimes, such as assault and robbery, are relatively rare in Japan. Thus, children can feel comfortable walking alone on the streets, fall asleep safely on the train, women can hail a taxi on the street in the middle of […]
Jakarta City (Pixabay.com/febriamar) Japan, with its rich culture and advanced technology, is an attractive country for many people in the world. However, like other citizens, Japanese people also have their own reasons for moving and settling in other countries. These reasons vary, from education and career to family reasons and the desire for new life experiences. So, which countries are their favorite destinations? Let's explore further. Survey of Japanese Living Abroad Have you ever met a Japanese person on the street? Currently, many Japanese people live and settle abroad, some of whom are famous people. For example, famous Japanese people in Indonesia are Haruka Nakagawa who is a former member of AKB48 and JKT48, Genki Sokorahen who is a YouTuber, Hiromitsu Harada who is a chef, and Nobuyuki Suzuki who is an actor. Based on statistics since 1989, the number of Japanese people living abroad has continued to increase until 2019, but began to decline in 2020 due to the pandemic. Which countries are the destinations for Japanese people to live and settle? The following is a discussion of which countries are the destinations for Japanese people to live and settle. Based on a statistical survey of […]
Urban in Japan (Pixabay.com/Walkerssk) Just like other countries, Japan also has differences between urban and rural life. If you want to move to Japan, you can consider living in a city or village based on the differences between the two. Here is an explanation of urban and rural life in Japan. Urban Life in Japan Japanese people live close together in crowded places. Japanese people who live in cities usually gather in subways, bars, and restaurants. Regular signs and announcements can be found in cities in Japan. Cities in Japan have large shopping areas and department stores in the city center so that the city center remains lively and prosperous. Urban activities are often concentrated around train and subway stations. Cities in Japan are very clean. However, buildings in cities appear crowded with narrow streets and many poles and electric cables. Highways sometimes pass through dense neighborhoods but the highways seem very quiet. Advantages and Disadvantages of Cities in Japan The advantage is that there are various kinds of department stores and supermarkets that can be found in Japanese cities. Of course, there are many entertainment facilities and restaurants in cities that can be an option for a vacation in the city. In addition, the number of routes and the number of public vehicles such as trains or […]
Appearance of a worker (Image by Freepik) Japan, the land of the rising sun, is famous for its culture of hard work and discipline. However, how do Japanese workers actually spend their salaries? The answer is not as simple as “just for food and shelter”. The use of salaries in Japan is influenced by many factors, from culture to social structure, as well as income level and age. Let’s explore in more detail how they manage their finances. Fixed Expenses: Rent, Utilities, and Installments Most of the salaries of Japanese workers are used to meet basic needs. Rent (家賃, yachin) is the largest expense item, especially for those who live in big cities like Tokyo, Osaka, or Nagoya. Rent costs vary depending on the location and size of the residence, but are generally quite high compared to other countries. In addition to rent, utilities such as electricity (電気代, denki dai), gas (ガス代, gasu dai), and water (水道代, suidou dai) are also fixed expenses to consider. For those who have a mortgage (住宅ローン, jutaku ro-n), the mortgage is a significant fixed burden. Buying a house in Japan, especially in urban areas, is a major investment that requires careful long-term financial planning. Some workers also have a car mortgage (自動車ローン, jidousha ro-n), although car ownership in big cities is often impractical due to expensive parking fees and traffic jams […]
Japanese men’s appearance (Image by Freepik) The general view of Japanese men is often associated with a clean and tidy image. However, behind that well-groomed image, there are various approaches and perceptions of Japanese men towards their body hair. Contrary to the common perception that may be embedded in our minds, the concern for body hair among Japanese men is actually quite complex and diverse, influenced by cultural factors, age, fashion trends, and personal preferences. Facial Hair: From Thin Mustaches to Full Beards Facial hair, especially mustaches and beards, is one of the most visible and often discussed aspects. In the past, thin mustaches and beards that were well-groomed, even barely visible, were more common. This was influenced by traditional Japanese beauty standards that tend to prioritize a clean and tidy appearance. The image of a samurai figure with a thin mustache and a clean face may still be firmly embedded in the minds of many people. However, as time goes by and Japan opens up to global culture, facial hair trends have changed. Today, we see more and more Japanese men letting their beards grow thicker and longer, experimenting with different styles, from neat, well-groomed beards to full, wilder beards. Age is also a factor; Older men tend to be more comfortable with beards […]