The article and photos by Fumiko Koike
I am often asked by international travelers this question: why is everywhere in Japan so clean? Here are three main reasons I usually explain to them.
Contents:
1. Influence of Shintoism and Buddhism
2. Learning how to keep clean is part of education at Japanese schools
3. Many Japanese people take their trash home with them as there are hardly any trash cans in public places
1. Influence of Shintoism and Buddhism
In Shintoism, there is a belief that if you keep your place clean, Shinto deities will bring you lots of luck, such as more business prosperity, higher academic achievements and better relationships with people. That's why if you visit Japan, you are likely to witness some private shop owners/staff members sweeping the entrance from early in the morning.
In Buddhism, doing household chores properly is one of the very important means of training. For example, it is believed that when you wipe the floor and remove the dust, you are also getting rid of your negative feelings such as greed, anger and doubt.
If you wish to know the difference between Shintoism and Buddhism, please refer to the following article:
Seimei jinja shrine in Kyoto / difference between shrines and temples (京都市・清明神社/神社とお寺の違い）
2. Learning how to keep clean is part of education at Japanese schools
In Japan, children clean their school almost everyday, when they go to school. The cleaning time is usually after lunch, about fifteen to twenty minutes (it varies depending on school). They rotate where to clean regularly so that they can learn how to clean different places efficiently and how to use cleaning equipment properly.
If they make a mess or drop trash at school, that means they will have to clean it up by themselves. Also, children are not allowed to bring snacks or soft drinks to school as lunch is provided. So there is less possibility of littering inside their schools in the first place.
This cleaning time is part of Japanese education in order to cultivate their sense of cleanliness.
3. Many Japanese people take their trash home with them as there are hardly any trash cans in public places
I distinctly remember that there used to be more trash cans at subway and train stations as well as on the streets when I was younger.
However it completely changed when poisonous gas attacks took place in some parts of Japan in the mid 90's. In the attacks, trash cans were used. After that, many public trash cans were removed from all over Japan to prevent future incidents of the similar kind.
Since then some Japanese people have come to take their own trash home with then. This can also be one of the reasons why there is not too much trash in public places even though there are hardly any trash cans in Japan.
The article and photos by Fumiko Koike
If you are interested in taking my tours in Kyoto/Japan, please go to the following website:
