Why Americans Should Visit Japan

A Model of Civility

I just returned from a 24-day cruise and a land tour of Japan. I don’t often share my personal feelings, focusing mostly on political, governmental, business and workplace ethics issues. As my readers know, I blog under the pseudonym, “Ethics Sage.” For those reading this blog for the first time, I have been blogging for almost 20 years. I taught business and accounting ethics at a variety of universities for over 30 years. I have been interviewed many times for my views on ethics issues. I have published dozens of research articles on these issues and have an ethics textbook that is widely used around the globe.

I spent several days in Tokyo. You will not find a cleaner city. I doubt there is a more respectful society or one that makes visitors feel more welcome. I always got the impression that the Japanese were glad to see me and delighted to help me when questions were asked.

There are a few things I noticed immediately that illustrate the Japanese culture. Of course, most people are aware that they bow when greeting visitors. AI points out that “Japanese bowing is a deeply ingrained cultural practice used to show respect, gratitude, and acknowledgement in various social situations. It's not just a greeting; it's a form of expressing humility and deference and is used in everyday interactions with people of all social ranks, including visitors.” In other words, when a Japanese person bows when greeting visitors/tourists, they are showing kindness—being friendly. This extends to virtually all segments of society. Even the cleaning people in the hotel bowed!

Expect to hear the word “Konnichiwa,” a greeting when meeting people during the day. It is like saying ‘hello’ or ‘good day.’ The term “okyaku-sama” is often used to address a guest. In the context of a shop owner addressing a customer, “okyaku-sama” would be said.

The next thing I noticed is that Japanese wait at traffic lights and do not cross on red even if there are no automobiles coming. Why do they not cross? Well, it’s against the law and the Japanese are law-abiding citizens. Following the law is an integral part of ethical behavior. So, we can say that the Japanese act ethically even when no one is looking. No one cuts into the line, a rarity in cities like New York.

Japan is the opposite of a violent country. According to AI, “in 2023, there were seven deaths from gun incidents in Japan. These incidents, while rare, included three cases related to organized crime groups. Japan has very strict gun control laws and a low gun ownership rate, contributing to its low
gun violence statistics.” By comparison AI says that “in 2023, 46,728 people died from gun-related injuries in the United States. This includes deaths from gun homicides, suicides, and other less common causes like unintentional deaths and deaths involving law enforcement.”

Lunch seems to be the big meal of the day. I found dozens of restaurants where the customers sit at a small, narrow counter up front, right where the food is cooked. Many of these customers are businesspeople. At lunch counters in Japan, common choices include ramen, sushi, soba and udon noodles, and bento boxes. These dishes are often quick and convenient, suitable for lunch breaks. It took me a while to get used to the closeness with others eating, feeling self-conscious because my chop-stick-skills are somewhat wanting.

I was surprised to see drivers sitting on the right side of the front seat rather than the left as in many countries. I didn’t know that about 30–40% of the worlds countries actually have right hand steering, including many if the former British commonwealth countries… UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, etc.

Japanese hotel rooms are often small due to limited land availability and a cultural emphasis on efficient space utilization and communal living. High population density, particularly in urban areas like Tokyo, necessitates smaller living spaces, including hotel rooms, to accommodate the growing population. Additionally, hotels can maximize room occupancy and revenue by offering smaller, more affordable rooms. This was difficult to get used to because there was literally no space on one side of the bed to get up and walk to the bathroom, instead having to slide to the edge of the bed to get up. Getting in and out of the shower was challenging because of the design of the bathrooms, particularly in business hotels and smaller establishments. It reminded me of the college dorm room. The one good thing is that you can heat the toilet seat. Yea!

Other than going to the usual sites found in visitor’s guides, one pleasant surprise was attending a baseball game at the Tokyo Dome where the Tokyo Giants play. Japanese baseball games feature energetic cheering sections, called oendan, that add a unique atmosphere to the experience. These organized groups of fans, often led by cheer captains, contribute to the overall experience through coordinated cheers, songs, and the use of instruments like taiko drums and trumpets.
The cheering sections serve to create a strong sense of community and team spirit, reflecting the Japanese collectivist culture's emphasis on group harmony.

The Uriko, or so-called ‘beer girls,’ who are young women who have been the feature of the ballgame experience for decades. Serving up ballgame brews is a popular part-time job among students, even though it is physically demanding and sometimes the weather can be less than ideal. Beer kegs that baseball stadium beer girls lug around are typically 30 pounds or more. Kudos to them for adding to the experience of being at the ballpark.

I could go on but recommend all Americans visit Japan, which must include Tokyo, a clean city and conscious of sustainability. It is run efficiently and with respect to the laws. These characteristics of a civil society are increasingly difficult to find in American cities, especially the larger ones.

One last thing. I visited Japan during cherry blossom season—late March to early April. The site of the cherry blossoms blooming is extraordinary. It took me back to my PhD days at George Washington University where the cherry blossoms bloom in late March in DC.

Go to Japan. Visit Tokyo. Then, ask yourself: Isn’t it the way a city should be run?

Posted by Steven Mintz, aka Ethics Sage, on April 22, 2025. You can sign up for his newsletter and learn more about his activities at: https://www.stevenmintzethics.com/.