Blog Entry XVIII Interesting Facts about Japan

Japan - Part II - Quick Facts

Area: 377,873km², slightly smaller than California

Population: 127 million... and falling (very homogeneous, composed of 98.5% ethnic Japanese.)

Capital: Tokyo

Largest city: Tokyo (Metropolitan Tokyo, is the world's largest with a population of 35 million inhabitants)

Percentage of habitable land: 18

Life Expectancy: Average: 82, Male: 78.8, Female: 85.6 (Canada's average: 80.7)

GDP per Capita: $33,800 (Canada: $39 000)

Literacy Rate: 99% (Canada's literacy rate: 99%)

Number of earthquakes per year: 1500

Largest earthquake: 1923 the Great Kanto Earthquake killed more than 143,000 people in the Tokyo area.

Number of active Volcanoes in Japan: 200 (Mount Fuji is Japan's largest mountain and active volcanoe)

Language: Japanese but when writing 4 different scripts are used (Kanji, Hiragana, Katakana, Romanji)

Religion: Two main religions: Shinto and Buddhism. Religion is practiced little here....births, weddings, funerals...

Japan - Interesting Facts

On the right: In Japan, you drive on the left side of the road; in Korea, on the right.

Please slurp!: Noodles and soup are slurped loudly when eaten. It does cool down the food and to some, symbolizes that the food is delicious. Linda just can't seem to get used to it so I've reduced my soup and noodle intake. By the way, most Japanese eat their soup with chop sticks.

Shoes off!: When entering a house, you will need to remove your street shoes and don a pair of slippers so as not to contaminate the home.  Interestingly, to use the washroom, one needs to put on yet another pair of special bathroom slippers, for exactly the same reason.

More than just a toilet: Japanese toilets can be quite sophisticated, having a built-in seat warmer and bidet system for spraying your backside. 


Yes indeed, Japanese toilets shoot back.

Some fresh air please: In Japan non-smoking areas are difficult to find in restaurants. Many of Japan's politicians, it seems, have interest in the tobacco industry so anti-smoking laws have just gone up in, well, smoke.

A hot towel: Restaurants in Japan (including McDonald's) give you moist (often hot) towels or wipes before or with your meal. (very civilized)

Rice is nice:  Sure, many Japanese eat rice for lunch and dinner. but did you know that rice is a favourite breakfast dish.  Soup is a morning favorite as well.

Vending machines in Japan: The Japanese can buy beer in vending machines. Neat too are the machines that sell both hot and cold canned coffee.

No Trash Cans: As in Korea, despite the absence of trash cans in Japan, there is no littering. In fact, as in South Korea, there is almost no vandalism or graffiti.

Walking funny: In Japan, it is not uncommon to see women wearing platform shoes that are 4 to 6 inches high. Despite the many accidents and a certain difficulty walking graciously, Japanese women are persistent...
the trend will remain strong for some time.

No kissing: Despite Japan's obsession with sex, it is considered rude to show signs of affection toward a loved one in public.

Until next time.