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Countries around the world praise Japan for its attention to detail, neatness, and discipline. However, not many people are aware that there are things that can be so bothersome in a Japanese person's life that they shake their heads in frustration. So what are these things? Let's explore the rules and lifestyle habits that can annoy the Japanese through the article below!
1. Mandatory silence within the comfort of your own home
In Vietnam, you can turn on the karaoke, chat with friends during important holidays right inside your own house without worrying about neighbors complaining. However, Japan places great emphasis on silence and tranquility.
Neighbors won't hesitate to file a complaint if you walk too loudly or make noise in the surrounding area. This is due to the fact that most Japanese homes are constructed using very light materials, and the walls are thin. Therefore, sounds, such as footsteps, are easily heard. This is one of the main reasons why silence must be maintained not only within your own home but even in public spaces.
Maintaining silence is an unwritten rule when living in a shared area with neighbors (Image source: Collected)
A Russian blogger once shared on his YouTube channel that a neighbor complained to the landlord because he had slammed the wardrobe door too loudly. However, not all Japanese people are silent or walk quietly. Young people in Japan still enjoy partying, listening to music, and talking loudly.
2. Unable to resolve conflicts through personal conversation
This is considered one of the most bothersome things in the life of a Japanese person today. Many wonder why the neighbor didn’t simply knock on the door and ask the Russian blogger to close the wardrobe more quietly. A direct reminder would have been gentler than complaining to the landlord. This is part of the Japanese culture. They seem to avoid direct confrontation and prefer to write a letter to the landlord. The landlord is then responsible for addressing the noise and disruption with the neighbor and asking them to stop.
Japanese people tend not to resolve conflicts directly (Image source: Collected)
Sometimes, even small issues require a handwritten complaint to resolve a conflict indirectly. At first glance, one might wonder why the Japanese make things so complicated. However, if you look deeper into the issue, you'll realize that this approach aligns perfectly with their personality, lifestyle, and way of dealing with situations.
3. Street sound advertisements can be annoying
In stark contrast to the strict rules about maintaining silence in public spaces, advertising trucks equipped with loudspeakers on top broadcast their messages across the streets. These vehicles drive through neighborhoods promoting various services, such as repair services, selling cakes, and even political campaigns.
Although many locals find these disruptive sounds extremely annoying, these trucks continue to operate at full capacity every day, even on Sundays – the only day when Japanese people can get a peaceful sleep. What's even stranger is that the police are very lenient when handling these trucks, despite complaints from the local population. This is also one of the things that annoy the Japanese, but they still haven't found a satisfactory solution.
4. Infidelity rates in Japan are very low, around 20%
We all know that Japan is one of the Asian countries with the lowest birth rates. However, the divorce rate in Japan is extremely low. Even when marriage issues arise, many choose to stay together. This is because most Japanese women worry about financial difficulties if they divorce, while men fear not being able to see their children. This is also why the divorce rate and infidelity rate are so low. According to a survey, only 15.2% of women and 20.5% of men cheat on their partners in Japan.
Very few divorces occur in Japan for various reasons (Image source: Collected)
5. Over 700,000 young people living a Hikikomori lifestyle
Hikikomori refers to young people who actively isolate themselves from society. Most of them are financially dependent on their family members. Their days are mostly spent locked in their rooms, and they rarely (if ever) leave their rooms.
The Hikikomori lifestyle is a concerning sign of young people withdrawing from society (Image source: Collected)
Some individuals don't even stay in touch with anyone outside their homes. Their social interactions are minimal, with only a few relationships that can be counted on one hand. Some even live in their homes for 7 to 10 years, with necessities being delivered by family members. The Japanese government is concerned about this social phenomenon and is actively looking for ways to help these individuals return to a normal lifestyle. This is one of the issues that has garnered significant attention from both the government and the public in Japan.
6. Gift-giving is mandatory everywhere you go
One of the things that annoys Japanese people is the expectation to buy souvenirs for family and colleagues whenever they travel, even if it's just a short trip to the nearby town. This has become an unwritten rule in Japanese culture. If you don't do it, you will appear very strange. Some even joke that Japanese people spend 15 minutes enjoying the scenery and 45 minutes choosing souvenirs. Although it sounds unbelievable, this is actually true.
Bringing back souvenirs after every trip has become a common cultural practice in Japan (Image source: Collected)
7. Social relationships are divided into 2 categories: Uchi and Sato
The Japanese categorize their social interactions into two basic relationship groups: Uchi and Soto. Uchi refers to close-knit relationships, such as family, close friends, and long-time colleagues. On the other hand, Soto encompasses all other relationships outside of these close connections.
Uchi refers to close relationships, while Soto refers to casual or social acquaintances (Image source: Collected)
The distinction between these two groups is so clear that the terms are used in everyday communication. Moving from an Uchi relationship to a Soto one is incredibly difficult and takes a long time to develop intimacy. However, some progressive young people argue that this system of categorization harms society. It is considered a direct cause of many suicides and the growing Hikikomori movement of people withdrawing from society.
8. Making friends with foreigners mainly for personal gain
Most traditional media, both domestic and international, suggest that making friends with Japanese people is difficult. However, the 'Gaijin hunter' community (roughly translated as 'foreign friend hunters') in Japan finds this easy. Some even date foreigners. The common goal of befriending foreigners is often to show off to their friends or to learn a foreign language for free. While this is not necessarily one of the annoyances in Japanese life, most locals find it unpleasant.
9. Couples meet only 1-2 times a month
Surprisingly, couples in Japan do not meet every day. In fact, some couples only meet 1-2 times per month. However, they are completely comfortable with this arrangement. They do not spend too much time together, texting or sending photos daily. This does not mean they do not love each other. The main reason for this is that Japan does not have a developed culture of flirting, and they do not show affection in public. The closest they get is holding hands.
Japanese couples spend very little time with each other (Source: Collected)
Above is the detailed information on the inconveniences of Japanese life. We hope that through Mytour's sharing, you will gain a better understanding of Japanese culture and lifestyle. If you wish to book a Japan tour, please contact the hotline 028 3827 0404 of Mytour for free consultation!
