From the fantastic public transportation system to the exploding Toyota Prius sales to the eco sex clubs and streets without a lick of trash, Japan is a formidable force on the green front. But after a 20-day trip, four social norms stuck out that made me go WTF? And wonder if pledges for extremely ambitious greenhouse gas emission cuts are realistic.
Photo left via International BS Blog. Photo right via Design Linguist.
1. The Washlet: Toilets With Super Powers
In Japan, more than 70 percent of homes come with a Washlet, what The Economist dubs "the Lamborghini of lavatories, the Cadillac of commodes." This toilet, from Japanese bathroom manufacturing giant Toto, is teched-out with energy-sucking options including automatic lid opening, warm water washing, heated seats, drying, and noise to cover your, um, noise--ranging from chirping birds to gurgling waterfalls. Surprisingly, energy consumption aside, the Washlet may actually save water, and not just because it is low-flow: "Japanese girls are really shy," a native explained, "and without background noise, may flush three-four times with one go."
2. Air-Conditioned Outdoor Spaces
We've already covered Japan's shocking "air conditioner in a can," but what's really over-the-top and un-TreeHugger in this country is how often cold air is blasted in spaces open to the outside. It's not uncommon to see air-conditioned storefronts completely open to the street, and, unlike on New York's lovely MTA, you can arrive at the office without breaking into a sweat, thanks to chilled air flowing out like there's no energy crisis over entire subway platforms.
3. Packaging...and More Packaging
A plastic bag ban has clearly not hit this East Asian island country. Even small, measly items like a pack of gum can be double- or triple-bagged, unless you say "fukuro wa irimasen" (I don't need a bag)...or just shake your head frantically.
4. A Gift Giving Culture
Speaking of packaging: Presents (temiyage) in this country are given at the drop of a hat. While it is admittedly touching to discover that even the chef of a sushi restaurant may suddenly break down bowing and give you a sample of seaweed snugly cushioned in pink tissue paper, Japan takes gift-giving to a whole new level. In fact, it is considered seriously impolite to go to someone's house without a gift in hand. Unfortunately, while gifts don't have to be expensive, they are all expected to be beautifully wrapped.
Clearly, the U.S. has its own set of absurdly wasteful social norms. Yet it's interesting to note what is a priority in one country is considered unnecessary or downright excessive in another. Chirping toilets aside, we've got to change ourselves, and our ideologies to make a difference in this battle.
More From TreeHugger and Planet Green on Japan
Japan's Election On Sunday: Massive Win For Opposition, How About Green Policies?
Air Conditioner in a Can from Japan
Youtube Japan Goes Green On World Environment Day
More From Mairi Beautyman on Huffington Post
Anti-fungal Drugs Could Save Endangered Frogs Around the World
Hurry Up and Kill the CD Already
Creators of the Hydrogen 'Urban Car' Attempt to Crush Hydrogen Car Challenges
Germans and Their Scornful View of Tap Water
Could You Live Without a Refrigerator?
The Octuplets and their Massive Carbon Footprint: 30,400 Disposable Diapers and Counting
Follow Mairi Beautyman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mbeautyman
I will say that the Japanese are much better about recycling than we (Americans) are. Each week I was responsible for dutifully separating out the recyclables and putting them into the correct color coded bins - and if I missed something, the local garbagemen would identify it immediately because the only type of bags we could buy were see-through. Bags that were not correctly sorted were left at the curb. Imagine if we had that sort of regulation here in the States.
I will say that the Japanese are much better about recycling than we (Americans) are. Each week I was responsible for dutifully separating out the recyclables and putting them into the correct color coded bins - and if I missed something, the local garbagemen would identify it immediately because the only type of bags we could buy were see-through. Bags that were not correctly sorted were left at the curb. Imagine if we had that sort of regulation here in the States.
Recent washlet models are probably greener than non-electrical ones. They only use electricity when there`s someone around and a lot less water is used than traditional devices.
If you lived and worked in Japan, you`d know how humid the summer can be, living here without air-conditioning is unrealistic. The real question is which is greener? Use a SUV to go to work, or use a confortable public transportation system with air-conditioning all the way to your office?
Another important trend is the Cool-biz campaign, which is promoting a more rational use of the air-conditioners here in Japan. Also including not using neckties and the adoption of short-sleeved shirts during the summer.
Packaging is another cultural thing, but recently there`s a lot of promotion for the use of eco-bags here. But the worst part was too see giving gifts as something that is a big Japanese problem. I mean US is the most consumist nation in the world!
Public interest in ecology in Japan is much higher than in the US, just look at the sales of energy efficient products that have been released, the governmental incentives to buy energy efficient home devices (another big trend), the solar energy panels, the domestic fuel-cell energy generators etc.