Look East - Japan

On my recent trip to Japan firstly to Tokyo and then to Izu Peninsular on holiday I cannot help saying that if I had the power I would certainly make people look to Japan and better still use or imitate what the Japanese have achieved thus far in terms of efficiency, cleanliness, and discipline.

EFFICIENCY. On stepping into Narita airport, I am already welcome into their country by the way things are handled at the airport. Although most of the English language signboard need some correction of spelling of words but it has not put off the focus of bringing you to your destination. Toilets, trolleys and luggage reclaim section were well planned. There were no merry go round like in Heathrow. Helpful SUICA cards(like UK's oyster card) puts lots of pressure off visitors unlike UK,France or Norway and regretably our very own country. Taking the train(subway) is just like elsewhere including Malaysia very efficient. But later I cannot believe that Japanese time schedule are incredibly precise and punctual. An example when we had to change a train from Izu to Tokyo at Ito station the time difference was only 1 minute and true enought the train was there when we arrived at Ito station and took off 1 minute after. Incredible! Unbelievable! Yet true. I have not seen anywhere in the world practising such precise timing.
From the train station to our destination was spot on. We could not understand the direction signboard so we took the opportunity to ask a Japanese couple. Mind you they were equip with mobil phones statelite navigation and they could tell us where and when to stop like " the train will stop at 732am at Ueno station. Later when we are more settled with the excitement, we actually could see the stations the train is stopping showing inside the train. One weakness is that there are not many signboards seen at station because of many carriages.
Upon arrival at our destination and to find our hostel where we are going to stay is another breeze through a good direction guide. This hostel are run by a small family group and yet they are well equipped and efficient in dealing with customers.
When we come to ordering food we again are met with such simplicity. Look at the pictures of the food you would like to eat and just press the button and slot in your money. In other restaurant where they have menu you simply order by pointing to the pictures of food. Outside they have display of food that are made of plastic and they look like real hot or cold sushi and others.
Their currency may have big denominations like 100 yen, 1000 yen and 10,000 yen but not problems when you carry 10,000 yen around because you will get back your change.
Shopping practices are honest because they do not have discount and they prices stated for all items are fixed price no matter which shop you go to. However in certain restaurant they give you discount vouchers to encourage first time customers like in the airport for foreign visitors you get special discount to buy SUICA cards.
Yes things are usually priced much higher because of cost or whatever but it is fair for everybody. To get the benefits of getting cheaper things like sushi go to the supermarket an hour before closing time and the sushi prices are slashed half or even more towards the end to get rid of the day's stock. They really practised selling fresh food especially sushi because on a particular day when the Tsujinji market was closed the sushi stock were not available at the supermarket and elsewhere.
Even pricing for taxi transportation was properly monitor and they charged you accordingly to hourly rate eg 6 hours equal 32,000yen.
I personally felt that they treat the visitors to their country very well.
At the Spa in the resort,they look after the very need of the comfort of the user and I find myself enjoying the facility as if I was at my own home.
Even the train ride to the resort from Tokyo, the seats are facing the seaview so that everybody can see the magnificient view of the sea/oceon as the train moves along.

CLEANINESS
I have yet seen another country so clean yet they too have all the similar problems we faced at home or another country. This is what I call discipline people and the right attitude. I cannot see a plastic bottle floating in the Japan sea, on the road, station or even around busy shopping centres or park. How do they achieved this high standard. I witnessed a garbage truck like our mini bus and 3 people working as a team. One driver and the other 2 person running along the back and picking all the garbage neatly tied up and clean up and crush in the truck using hydralic. Later these truck were at the enclose part area nearby to do further recycling.There were no spillage or leakage of garbage water onto the road. How do they achieve this feat!
At the park where we went for walk and photography, there were no garbage bins at all yet there isn't a bit or rubbish throw anywhere. Smokers not seen at all.
On the road, in the restaurant, in the resort, in the park, and in the temple and shopping area I have yet been able to find a piece of rubbish thrown by inconsiderate citizen or even foreigners like me. We think it is impossible but in Japan I M POSSIBLE.
What is the result of this wonderful practice of cleaniness, everywhere we go or see we see the true beauty, beautiful people who are so strong and discipline to want to keep their country clean and beautiful. Can our country achieve this. IMPOSSIBLE.
INNOVATIVE
I have had this opportunity during the days when a delegate of Japanese business came a visiting our Company. After learning our methods of administration one of the Japanese man immediate gave me another idea of improving my work method. Today I have seen how innovative the Japanese are and they ae never satisfied to stay put or happy with one design. They are always focus on improving what they have now and what could be done to improve their technologies. Watching their local TV talentime hour you can see how they compete against each other to improve their robotic skill. What they have today are probably a copy cat of others many years ago but they improvement to the technology have made them today the top in the world.
I hope any one reading this blog will be convinced that we are no difference from the Japanese and if we can look at them and imitate them in continuing improvement we could one day be a better people AND BETTER NATION TO LIVE.