For many, the mention of Japan would trigger memories about the turmoils and heart-wrenching events of World War II and the tragic dropping of atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945. But despite all these atrocities, modern day Japan is vastly different. Any visitor to Japan today can easily sense the complex body of ‘understood’ values that everyone shares.
One of those prevailing Japanese values is mutual respect. Respect is not only seen during people’s traditional or religious functions. Respect in Japan, and in Tokyo, where my colleagues and I spent almost two weeks recently, is an everyday thing.
It is a lifestyle that is lived, it’s what you see at train stations, in public vehicles, on the roadside, in the hotels, in restaurants and bars and even on the bustling streets. While the streets of Tokyo may seem busy with its fast cars, high rise buildings and a population of 14 million people, citizens go about their lives abiding by an unseen code of reverence and deep consideration for one another. People quietly chat while walking — no deafening music and unnecessary noise, probably because Tokyo also considered the Royal City, where the Emperor of Japan resides.
Aside from the capital, Shibuya, was another city we visited and it was the opposite of Tokyo; where loud music was played, huge screens overlooked the tall buildings and many young people hung around town. Nevertheless, respect continued to be seen and experienced in this city.
