It’s been more than 3 years to my life in Japan. In these last few years, one question that so many people have frequently asked me is:
What do you like about Japan?
While there is a lot I like about Japan here is a list of five things that I absolutely love.
1) National Health Insurance System
Life in Japan is medically insured, which means anybody who lives in Japan falls under the national health system. It is cheap and is calculated on the basis of your yearly income. Once registered, you don't have to pay your entire hospital bill. 70% of it, would be assured by the government.
Recently due to coronavirus, the Japanese government is providing one lakh Japanese yen to all its people including the foreign residents. This is my only favorite thing that happened in the times of pandemic.
2) Hygiene
Whenever I think of hygiene, the kitchen and the toilet are the first two things that come to my mind. Both things are taken care of so well in Japan. If you have always thought public toilets are bad, please visit Japan and surprise yourself.
It is not just well sanitized, it is also well equipped with all that you might need while doing your private business. The water, the toilet paper, a warm seat, some background music. I am not even kidding here. This is the description of an average toilet.
3) Hospitality
People often confuse hospitality with kindness but they are separate behaviors. You would regularly be thanked, greeted, apologized in Japan, many times for reasons you would never really understand.
Stranger: "I just crossed your way. I am sorry."
Me: "well, but I am just waiting here so it's okay if you crossed."
Stranger: "oh! waiting for someone? I am really sorry I said sorry to you earlier and made you uncomfortable."
Me: "That's alright. I am fine"
Stranger: "Okay, I am sorry."
4) Convenience
The trains in Japan are always running on time. If they do get delayed even for a minute, the ekiin can provide you with a slip to show your boss. A paper slip that mentions that it wasn't you who got late but the train. Isn't it cool?
Another thing that you would observe on your very first day in Japan is that convenience stores are everywhere and they are open 24 hours. Perhaps you would find more than 2 in one location. I am never running out of essentials in Japan.
5) Economic Disparity
Japan can be considered as a middle-class society because 99% of the people here can afford essential things in life. Of course, Japan has its own share of homeless people but do not befool your mind thinking they have no money.
Strange, right? I couldn't believe it when my Sensei informed me about that. But after some research, I learned that this is actually true.
Check out my video to learn more about my life in Japan.
Have a great day, you beautiful human!
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