Buzz
I received this list just yesterday. Given the tragic earthquake that struck Japan shortly before, I thought this would be a fitting tribute to share.
Japan has long captivated the world with its distinctive culture, mouthwatering cuisine, and technological advancements. Over time, it has established itself as one of the most intriguing nations globally.
Yet, some of Japan's traditions and preferences are often misinterpreted, leaving many puzzled. Nevertheless, these 20 intriguing facts offer a closer look at Japan—an extraordinary country with rich cultural heritage and economic strength.
So, without further delay, here are 20 amazing facts about Japan (in no particular order). Please keep in mind, even though some of these facts may seem negative, they reflect no racist views from me or Mytour:
3. Facts 20 – 16
20. A delicacy in Japan, raw horse meat is often served thinly sliced and uncooked, known as basashi—as seen in the image above.
19. More than 70% of Japan’s terrain is covered by mountains, and the country is home to over 200 active volcanoes.
18. A single musk melon, which closely resembles a cantaloupe, can fetch a price as high as 31,473 yen ($300.00).
17. Japan boasts an almost 100% literacy rate.
16. In Japan, you can even find vending machines that sell beer!
4. Facts 5 – 1
5. Japanese animated films and TV shows (commonly known as anime) make up 60% of global animation entertainment. Anime is so popular in Japan that nearly 130 voice acting schools exist in the country.
4. 21% of Japan's population is elderly, the highest percentage in the world.
3. Historically, Japan's court system has boasted a conviction rate as high as 99%!
2. As of 2003, Japanese prisons were operating at an average of 117% of their capacity.
1. Raised floors in Japanese homes serve as a sign to remove slippers or shoes. At the entrance of most homes, the floor is raised about 6 inches (15.24 cm), signaling you to take off your shoes and wear slippers. In homes with tatami mat rooms, the floor may rise 1-2 inches (2.54-5.08 cm), indicating that you should remove your slippers.
1. Facts 10 – 6
10. Japan’s unemployment rate remains below 4%.
9. The Japanese archipelago is made up of over 6,800 islands.
8. “Tetsuo: Iron Man” (not related to the comic or Robert Downey Jr.'s film) is a well-known, intense cyberpunk movie. A cyberpunk film typically blends technology, its misuse, and social upheaval. The movie was inspired by a play written and directed by Shinya Tsukamoto during his college years. It’s an outstanding film, and you can purchase it here. The trailer is above.
7. Japan’s earliest known inhabitants were from a Paleolithic culture dating back to approximately 30,000 BC.
6. Renowned Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike produced up to 50 films over the course of a decade at the height of his career.
2. Facts 15 – 11
15. The average life expectancy in Japan is 4 years longer than that of Americans. Maybe Americans should start eating more basashi!
14. Some men in Japan choose to shave their heads as a form of apology.
13. Japan has the second lowest homicide rate in the world, but it is also home to the eerie Aokigahara forest, known as the 'suicide forest.' A resident of this forest is shown above.
12. Japan has produced 15 Nobel laureates in fields such as chemistry, medicine, and physics, along with 3 Fields medalists and one Gauss Prize recipient.
11. In traditional sumo wrestling, younger wrestlers are expected to clean and bathe the senior wrestlers at their training stables, including attending to even the most difficult areas.
