Fascinating Japanese Culture: Unique Customs through International Eyes-Advanced Japanese Listening

I started an online shop. There are many Japanese printed goods. T-shirts, trainers, parka etc., there are many choices. Apart from clothes, I also recommend bags, hats, magcups, even children's clothes, as gifts. Please, look at the link. Mr. President, I would like to thank you all. Today, I'm here to talk to Mr. Ito, who is an expert in Japanese culture. Mr. Ito, please welcome me. - Welcome, please. Today, I will answer all your questions, so I look forward to it. First, the first question. Why, do Japanese people live so long? There are many reasons for this, but one of them is food. Japanese food, vegetables, fish, soy products etc., are full of nutritionally balanced foods. Sure, Japanese food is good for your health. Moderate exercise is also important. In Japan, it is common to walk to the station to use public transport. The availability of healthcare is also a major factor. The effect of diet and exercise and medical care is very important. Is it related to stress management? It's also important to have a culture that values relaxation, such as hot springs and hobbies. We move on to the next question. Why don't Japanese speak English so much? まず、Japanese English teaching style is influenced. There is little emphasis on grammar and reading, and little conversation practice. Is it a problem with the education system? Yes, and also, there are few opportunities to use English in everyday life. In Japan, there is an environment where you can live without speaking English. Sure, there may be less opportunity to use English compared to overseas. How can I learn to speak English better? It is important to increase the practice of conversation. It is possible to have the opportunity to talk to foreigners in English conversation classrooms or online. So, why do Japanese people make noise when they eat? This is a Japanese culture, isn't it? Yesterday, I was in Japan. The reason is to eat it while it's cold. 熱い makes a sound and inhales it, absorbing it with air, so it is easier to cool. Okay. Is there any other reason? It is also said that you can feel the taste better. It's easier to spread the smell by making a sound. It's also a way of expressing the taste of eating with a sound in one's mouth. The sound is a delicious expression. You may be surprised that the customs are different in foreign countries. The next question is: How do the Japanese do their farewells? 辞儀 is famous as a Japanese culture, but, please tell me its background. A farewell is an act of respect or gratitude to the other person. The culture of respecting others is rooted in ancient customs. It is often used in greetings, thanksgiving, apologies. So, your saying has a deep meaning. How can I say goodbye? The meaning changes with angle and depth. 軽いお辞儀 is a general greeting at 15 degrees. 45 degrees deep 辞儀 is used when thanking or apologizing. When you say goodbye to your opponent, you make a more polite impression. You must be careful of the angle and timing of your speech. 続いて,日本の商品パッケージはどのように開けやすいの?についてです. Japanese goods are said to be easy to open, but why? In Japan, the packaging of goods is designed to be easy for consumers to use. It is designed to be easily opened, especially for the elderly and children. For example, the plastic cap on the top of the cow's milk pack is easily rotatable and has a slippery finish. Also, there are more and more zipper packages that can be opened with just a finger or a stick. Recently, some food bags have easy-to-handle parts and easy-to-open cutting holes. Have you been given a little attention? There are also craftsmen in the caps of the pet bottles and the bags of sweets. Also, there are many packages that can be closed again after opening. This is also a design that is designed for the convenience of consumers. You're thinking about someone else. You can hear a little bit of listening. The next question is, why are Japanese trains and buses on time? Japanese public transport really is on time, right? This is the reason why the Japanese have a culture of time-saving and a good transportation system. In Japan, keeping time is considered important, and many people get confused if they are late. Sure, trains and buses are late, but it's a big impact, right? The traffic management of the transportation is very strict. The traffic schedule is set in detail, There is a system to respond immediately in case of delay. Moreover, passengers also have a habit of moving early to avoid being late, due to time constraints. The passengers are also very aware. It's also important to be on time. The next question is: Why do Japanese people work long hours? I hear there are a lot of people who work long hours in Japan, but how is it possible? In Japan, diligence is considered a virtue. There is also a culture of valuing teamwork as a part of the company. Yes, and what about disability? There are many jobs that are handmade, but not all companies and jobs are. In some cases, the law requires that you pay disability benefits, but in some cases, you are not actually paid. Even if it's decided by law, it's actually difficult sometimes. The reform of the working method is progressing, but is it changing? There are also recent reforms in the working system and efforts to reduce working hours. ฀•฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀ The next question is, why do Japanese students sleep in class? I often see students sleeping in class in Japanese schools. Many students study late after school activities and go to school. This can make you sleepy during class. Students are busy too. How often do you go to school? It is very common. Especially middle school and high school students often do some activities every day, and then go to school. 部活動 sports activities as well as cultural activities are also included. So are you. The students are really busy. Furthermore, Japanese names are in the order of their first names. The order of Japanese names is different from other countries. This is influenced by a culture that emphasizes family and blood ties.                                                                                                                                                                                               It's a way of showing respect for family ties and traditions. What is the culture of caring for family? Other examples are: For example, during celebrations and coronation ceremonies, the whole family often acts together. We will deepen the bond by working together with all our relatives and family members. Yes, the family bond is strong. Next, why do Japanese people wear masks so much? There are many people in Japan who wear masks, but how can you do that? For the prevention of colds and flu, for the prevention of polio, and for the care of others. There is a culture of keeping people away from the flu by wearing a mask. Is it for health or safety reasons? Yes, but lately some people use it for fashion and cold protection. Also, in the cities, more people are wearing masks to protect themselves from air pollution. I'm wearing a mask for many reasons. Today I have taught Mr. Ito many things about Japan. There were many interesting stories about Japanese longevity reasons, their culture, their packaging. It was clear that Japanese culture and customs have deep meaning and consideration. Yes. Japanese culture and customs may seem strange at first glance, but there is a long history and wisdom behind their lives. Mr. Ito, I really appreciate you today. Thanks to you, I have been able to understand Japan more deeply. I hope you all enjoyed it too. こちらこそ ありがとう. And please ask any questions at any time. So, today is here. Thank you for watching. Everyone here is welcome. 今日は外国人が知りたい日本の不思議vol.2について また日本文化の専門家である伊藤先生にお話を伺います。 Mr. Ito please welcome please. I'll answer all your questions today, so I'm looking forward to it. The first question is: Why do all Japanese people ride bikes on their hands? In Japan, bicycles are used as a daily means of transportation. Since childhood, many people have had the opportunity to ride a bicycle, and it is also used as a means of getting to school. It also affects the way Japanese roads and traffic rules are designed to take bicycle users into account. So, you have a lot of opportunities to learn the rules of cycling. Yes. In schools, traffic safety education is conducted. 家庭中, parents often teach their children. I'll move on to the next question. This is influenced by the culture of Japanese people who value manners in public places. It is common to be quiet in trains and buses so as not to disturb other passengers. I'll make a phone call too, and I'll make a small voice. Sure, the Japanese public transportation is very quiet, huh? That's right. Also, there are warning signs at stations and bus stops, like keep quiet, so that's also effective. So, why is Japan so clean without garbage falling on the street? In Japan, there is a custom of bringing garbage home. Since there are few public garbage bins, it is normal to take your own garbage home. There is also a high level of environmental awareness, clean-up activities and recycling. Do you have a habit of bringing garbage home? There are regular cleanup activities in each area, and residents are cooperating to keep the streets clean. Also, in school, they become aware of keeping nature and cleanliness, to participate in cleaning activities from a young age. The next question is, how do Japanese university students graduate without any connection to their job prospects? Japanese companies require a wider range of skills and adaptability than specific expertise to emphasize the general position in recruitment of new graduates. It is common to have experience of various jobs within the company after joining. So, corporate education is abundant. Will college education be useless? Also, the knowledge and skills you have gained at university will help you in various situations, such as problem solving and communication skills. 専門知識 is also often applied. Furthermore, Japanese students come home from school alone, and go outside to play. Japan is a relatively safe country, and the local community cooperates strongly. Local elders have created an environment to look after children. Yes, and the community is very cooperative. There are also activities like the school's vigilante squad, and local volunteers are ensuring the safety of the children. The next question is. Why do Japanese salesmen go out to drink after work? This is part of the process of smoothing the workplace relationships. Drinking parties can help you to deepen communication with your boss and colleagues while relieving work stress. Drinking parties also provide more opportunities to speak your mind in a relaxed atmosphere. Communication is important at a drinking party. Yesterday evening, the Japanese government announced that it would be closing the banquet. The next question is, why are there many housewives in Japan? In Japan, it has been thought that the family is run smoothly by a single housewife who takes care of household and child-rearing. So, the traditional family model is influencing you. There are also more and more families working together. There are also more and more systems of parental leave and sharing of household chores. Next is, why is Japan distributing pocket tickets for free in the streets? Pocket tickets are used as advertising media. The tickets are printed with advertisements of companies and goods, and the recipient can expect a promotional effect by seeing the advertisement. Sure, pocket tissues are convenient, right? Yes, it's a way to make effective advertising at low cost for both the business and the consumer. It's a good service for both the consumer and the customer. Furthermore, Japanese dietary recipes are, "Why is the meal on the left and the juice on the right?" Does this arrangement have any meaning? It is based on traditional eating manners. It is easy to carry with the left hand by placing food on the left, and easy to carry with the right hand by placing juice on the right. It also has the effect of penetration, and is considered sacred, and is usually placed on the left side. Yes, it has a holdfast and permeable effect. Is there another reason? Similar arrangements are seen in teahouses and teahouses, and these traditional cultures also influence the preparation of meals. For example, in teahouses, tea bowls and tea utensils are arranged in a position that is easy to handle with the right hand. These cultures emphasize ease of use and beautiful arrangement, and this idea is also reflected in the preparation of meals. So, here's the last question. How can a wallet drop in Japan and return to its owner? In Japan, there is a strong ethical sense that picking up other people's things will bring you to the next level. This is something that is taught from a young age by education and the influence of the local community. The presence of police is also influenced by the presence of a lot of traffic. Sure, it's convenient to have a lot of dates, isn't it? There are also many reasons why Japanese people have a high ethical sense and a culture of not stealing from others. Many people are careful not to disturb others. I've been teaching Mr. Ito a lot about Japanese wondervol.2 There were many interesting stories such as why Japanese people ride bikes in their hands, why trains and buses are quiet. Mr. Ito, I really appreciate you today. Thanks to you, I have been able to understand Japan more deeply. I think you all enjoyed it. Please register your channel. Everyone here today. Today, I want to talk to Mr. Ito, who is an expert in Japanese culture. The first question is: Why are there so many ads for Japanese trains and taxis? In Japanese cities, many people use public transportation. Therefore, trains and taxis are very effective places to place advertisements. So many people can see you. So it's a good place for advertisers. Yes. And advertising revenue is also part of the transportation system's operating funds and leads to the improvement of services. I'll move on to the next question. Why do ice water and cold water come out in Japanese restaurants? In Japan, it is common to offer cold water to customers to make them feel comfortable. Especially in summer, ice water is preferred to ease the heat. Also, there is a background that Japanese tap water is suitable for drinking so you can provide it with confidence. Sure cold water is nice on a hot day. Yes, it's one of the services to keep customers refreshed. So why do you take a bag and send it to the outside when you shop in a Japanese store? This is part of Japan's hospitality culture. I will be polite to show my gratitude to the guests. Especially in high-end shops and department stores, such services are common. You're showing a great deal of care for your customers. It is also to ensure that customers can bring back the goods they have purchased safely. Especially on rainy days, you have to take care that the bags are not wet. The next question is who is the greatest of all Japanese politicians. The members of the Japanese National Assembly are about 700 people. The most important is the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is the head of the administration and represents the Japanese government. So, the Prime Minister is the greatest. Can you tell me about the role of the Congressman? There are members of Congress who make laws, decide the budget, and check the government's work. The House of Representatives and the Senate have different roles. 続いて どうして 日本では バレンタインデーにチョコレートを渡すのですか. これは日本の特有の習慣ですね. This was started in the 1950s by a Japanese chocolate company as Valentine's Day marketing. Since then, it has been a day for women to send chocolates to men. I guess it started with corporate marketing. There is also a culture in Japan of giving gifts to express gratitude and love. Valentine's Day was also accepted as part of that. The next question is: Why are so many Japanese people ashamed? In Japanese culture, humility and restraint are considered virtues. It is required to avoid embarrassing others and to restrain one's own claims. Such educational and social values foster a shy and uncooperative personality. Sure, the humble attitude is Japanese virtue. It also influences a culture that values group behavior. It is important to remain invisible to maintain harmony with others. The next question is what are the seasons in Japan. Japan has four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. Spring is the season when cherry blossoms bloom and new life begins. Summer is hot and fireworks and summer festivals are big. The seasons are clear. Can you teach me about the seasons? There are also summer and spring festivals, and summer and winter festivals. 続いて 日本の水はどのように美味しいですか.。This is the natural environment effect.。 Yes, indeed. Japan has many mountains and abundant clean water sources. Water quality management is also strict and purification technology is developed. So, nature and technology are both related. Also, Japanese tap water is soft and mouth-watering. Next question: Why do Japanese students use large and heavy cell phones? The landsel is made to last for 6 years. The safety is also taken into account and the presence of a reflector enhances night vision. Moreover, the design of the sand cell has begun to support the growth of the back and also play a role in protecting the health of children. So, there are many workers in the land cell. There are also many special meanings to being given by grandparents as an entrance congratulation. More recently, the design and colours have also diversified and children can choose what they like. The last question is: How delicious is Japanese rice? Japanese rice is becoming very tasty with the improvement of varieties and cultivation technology. For example, varieties such as Cohiki and Sasaki are sweet and sticky and have a good taste. Also, Japan's climate and soil are suitable for rice cultivation and are an environment where delicious rice grows easily. So, the variety and the environment are important. There are other reasons too. There is also a big factor in the fact that farmers cultivate rice with care and care. There is also a commitment to the technology and preservation methods used after harvesting, and efforts are made to maintain the quality of rice. I've been taught a lot by Mr. Ito about Japanese wondervol.3 There were many interesting stories such as Japanese train and taxi ads, restaurant cold water, reasons for land sales etc.