How long is the average worker's commute?

A previous national survey carried out by the Management and Coordination Agency reports that the average commute (one way) takes between one and one and a half hours for 40% of commuters to workplaces in urban Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. At the same time, for each of the past several years, numbers of commuter passes issued for the shinkasen lines have risen 30% to 50% over the previous year. Thus, while commuting time may not be rising, distances are still growing.

What is the connection between catfish and earthquakes?

Long ago, people thought that earthquakes were caused by the shaking of a giant catfish living underground. When the catfish would stir, either from restlessness, or its displeasure at human folly, it would send the surface of the earth into convulsions. Since the late Edo period (1600-1868), catfish have been thought of capable of predicting earthquakes by showing increased movement just before an occurrence.

Why do Japanese break their disposable chopsticks after use?

Although not all Japanese do this, it is done often enough to make one wonder why. It was believed that if one does not break one's chopsticks after eating a meal in the field or mountain, some evil spirit would attach itself to the used chopsticks & make the eater become ill. Waribashi, or disposable chopsticks, are considered to be single-use utensils that are to be used by only one person. Therefore breaking them prevents reuse. Even at home, there's a tendency for each member of the family to have his or her own pair & not share. Most wooden waribashis are left attached at one end to show they have not been previously used. They are only split apart before use.

Why is the "1" spot on Japanese dice red?

In the middle of this century, the passion for red color began. A producer in Wakayama decided to make its product stand out from others by making the "1" spot red. Other manufacturers followed and later, it became the norm. Dots for the export market, though, are still made with all their dots black.

Why are the men on Japanese currency so hairy?

This is not only due to the fact that men in earlier ages wore more facial hair. One of the prerequisites for appearing on the bills is to offer opportunities for lots of detail-whether in the form of a beard, a mustache, or wrinkles-to prevent counterfeiting.

What's wrong with sticking chopsticks upright into a bowl of rice?

It is Buddhist custom to make occasional offerings of rice to the deceased. One offers rice by putting a bowl of it on the family altar and sticking a pair of chopsticks into one's rice, pointing straight up. Thus, sticking chopsticks into one's rice at mealtime makes the food look like a death-offering and is considered inauspicious. It should be noted, though, that many young Japanese are blissfully ignorant of this belief and do not always observe the custom.

Why do some melons sell for \10,000?

Probably, very few of the astoundingly expensive fruits such as these melons find their way into the homes of the people actually purchasing them. These are almost invariably wrapped in cushioned boxes and used as gifts to express gratitude for considerations or assistance received. The recipient will know immediately that he or she has received a gift of value.

Why are nigiri served two at a time at sushi shops?

Many people think that a pair of nigiri is just right for savoring the taste of the fish. Also, when the customer is seated at and ordering at the counter in front of the sushi maker, the serving of two
nigiri helps the sushi maker get the timing right so that the food is always prepared just before the customer eats it, eliminating the wait.

Why are mailboxes red?

The ministry of Posts and Telecommunications says that the first mailbox was a white, wooden box set up in 1871. This was followed by a black box and then the first red mailbox at Nihonbashi in 1901. They finally settled on the red box because it stood out.

Why do \5 and \50 coins have holes?

When the Japanese economy was based on the sen (\0.01) rather than the yen, there were several coins with circular holes in the middle. During the first half of this century the holes disappeared and coins were distinguished by size and material. There was also a time when there were not so many denominations of coins, so one of two distinctions sufficed. Today however, we have coins of \1, \5, \10, \50, \100 and \500 value. Size alone, even with the addition of tooled edges, is insufficient to help the user recognize the denomination. The hole was, therefore, reintroduced to help even people with limited sight distinguish between \5 and \10 coins and \50 and \100 coins by feel alone. .

Why is a cup of coffee so expensive in Japan?

It is not that the coffee is imported or that an excessive duty has been levied on the beans that warrants coffee prices of \400 and up at coffee shops. Rather, the charge is better seen as rent: for a very reasonable price, one can sit and recuperate, undisturbed, from the crowds when out shopping, or just sit and read for hours on end, while the waiter or waitress pleasantly refills your glass with water.

Why do Japanese say "Moshi Moshi" when answering the telephone?

When telephones were first introduced, a person would answer the phone with the rather rough phrase Oi oi , something like "Hey, Hey!" The caller would reply by saying Hai, yo gozaimasu, a humble way of saying "Yes, I've a matter {to discuss}." Gradually, this was replaced by Moshimasu, Moshimasu, or "I am going to say something", which was then in turn shortened to the current moshi moshi.

What percentage of Japanese who celebrate Christmas are Christian?

Despite the popularity of Christmas "decoration cakes" and the fact that many young couples go to romantic restaurants for dinner on Christmas Eve, few Japanese are actually Christian. The Christian-style wedding so popular among Japanese, for example, takes place in a "chapel" within a hotel or wedding hall where the brief ceremony is part of a package which includes photographs, reception, and gifts. The "minister" who may never meet the couple until the ceremony, has no legal status during the proceedings, as the formal registration of the marriage is done by the couple themselves at the local ward or city office. The membership of Christian churches was estimated at 0.7% of Japan's population by the Agency of Cultural Affairs in 1993.

Why are there often big year-end housecleanings?

Traditionally the house was to be cleaned at the end of the year in preparation for the arrival of the god of the New Year. The religious significance attending this grand event has grown very feeble, but the feeling that a thorough dusting and cleaning is important for starting the year fresh remains very strong. For convenience, this cleaning is often postponed until after the company vacations have started at year's end. The annual cleaning extends even to the giant statue of the Buddha at Nara and the other shrines and temples where visitors will come to worship at the New Year.

Were the compact disc player and the video tape recorder invented in Japan?

Neither of these items for whose manufature Japan is famous was invented by Japanese. The floppy disk, however, is the brainchild of the eccentric Japanese inventor Yoshiro Nakamatsu-better known to the world as "Doctor NakaMats"-who holds a large number of patents.

Excerpts are taken from the book:

"JAPAN from A to Z, Mysteries of Everyday Life Explained"
by James Vardaman, Jr., et al.
Printed with the permission of Charles E. Tuttle Company.
Charles E. Tuttle Company Inc.
For more information about this book or other Japan-related books, please visit their website.
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