Suffering from its Own Success? Japan‘s Complex โRelationship with Mass Tourism
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Published: November 2, 2023 | Last Updated:โฃ November 2,โ 2023
Japanโข isโฃ experiencing a surge in international tourism, a welcome economic boost after pandemic-related restrictions. However, this influx is revealing a complexโฃ dynamic – aโ sometimes-strained relationship between the nation’s cultural norms and โคthe behaviors โขofโ millions of visitors. โWhile welcoming the โขeconomic benefits, some Japanese โขcitizens are expressing discomfort โขwith certain tourist practices.
The Case โof the โขRolling Luggage
A seeminglyโข innocuous act for many travelers – rolling luggage through public spaces – is consideredโ disruptive in Japan. The practice can block pathways, create โฃtripping โฃhazards, โand impede efficient transfers, especially on โcrowded trains.โ According toโข cultural observer Alistair McMorran, the issue stemsโฃ from a deep-rooted cultural understanding. โค “A โขJapanese person wouldโ understand that you shouldn’t โคwheel โฃyourโข luggage in any โฃindoor space because that’s like walking with yourโ shoes (indoors),” McMorran stated. “Every Japanese โขperson knows this, and every international tourist doesn’t.”
Quiet car Cultureโค andโ Public Decorum
Maintaining aโฃ quiet environment on public transport is also paramount in Japanese culture.hiroshi Mizutani, a travel agency operator, recounted an incident where he had to ask a client – โฃthe CEO of aโฃ Chinese company – to leave first classโข on aโ high-speed train โฃdue toโ loud phone conversation. Speaking loudly on the phone is โขconsidered jarring and disrespectfulโ in Japanese publicโ spaces.
Prioritizing Regulars
Some โขJapaneseโ businesses demonstrate a preference for local clientele. Toyoko Mimura, an 86-year-old bar owner inโฃ Tokyo, โexplained โคherโ outlook. โข”It’s not that I โdislike (foreign customers). In fact, when we doโฃ talk, I find foreigners โfun to โขtalk to,” Mimura said. “But they don’t become regulars, you see. The local customers are โขmore critically important to me.” This sentiment highlights the value placed โon long-termโข relationships with โขconsistent patrons.
Japan’s tourism boom presents both opportunities โandโข challenges. Balancing economic growth with the โpreservation of cultural norms โฃand โthe โcomfort of its citizens willโข be crucial as the country navigates โคthis new era of mass tourism.
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