Having read a lot of Japanese literature over the last 10 years, we’ve found ourselves admiring the way Nippon approaches day-to-day life. One aspect we love is this—they shut up on public transport.

We’re English here, right, and as with a lot of public transport in the west… it’s bloody noisy. We live in a mindlessly individualistic capitalist society, sod everyone else, this personal phone call about my unsuccessful colonoscopy MUST be heard by one and all on this packed rush hour train from Manchester Deansgate to Bolton.

Yet on Japanese public transport you’re condemned by society if you answer your phone in public. We love that and, thus, we’re here to explore Japan and its quest for collective harmony.

Japan’s Focus on Silence and Respect in Public

If you watch the above and think that’s normal and how everyone should behave, rest assured it’s not. Any tram, train, or tube stop in England (London particularly) is a free-for-all.

In London there would be no queue. It’s every human being for themself (but never make eye contact or speak to anyone whilst screwing them over for a seat).

To be clear, this isn’t us falling into the trap of suggesting Japan is some utopia where everything is perfect. Some people seem to idolise Nippon as setting the standard for the world.

It does a lot right but, as with everywhere, has its own myriad problems.

However, it does totally nail personal respect, well-being, and quietness in public spaces. Compare the below to the London underground (where we can assure you it’s an anarchic free-for-all).

For western society, the above is quite astonishing. If you were being obnoxious you might argue the citizens are exhibiting drone-like behaviour and lacking in personal freedom.

You can read on The Silent Journey: Understanding the Importance of Being Quiet on Japanese Trains why this isn’t the case. It’s a matter of respect for others.

“When it comes to public transportation etiquette, Japan sets the bar high with its unwavering emphasis on silence and respect. One particular aspect that stands out is the culture of silence observed on Japanese trains. Silence is not just a preference but a deeply ingrained social norm that contributes to the overall efficiency, comfort, and tranquillity of train journeys in Japan.”

Actually giving a damn about everyone else around you… really quite a novel concept in many western countries. In England, we’ve become accustomed to a pompous sense of nationalism and exceptionalism that’s been tedious to see develop over the last decade.

Being forced to commute between three to four hours every day for the first 10 years of our career here in England, we quickly found out a lot of people are very irritating on public transport. Issues include:

• Yakking loudly on pointless personal phone calls
• Blasting crap musical preferences at full volume
• Eating and drinking
• Starting fights
• Leering at women

All very annoying. All seemingly down to a chronic lack of self-awareness from people. We can only attribute this to the selfish nature of modern western life. Cynical? Hmmmmm.

Tangent: The Glory of Mrs. Eats!

Lots of people fancy moving to Japan believing it to be some kind of utopia, packed with amazing culture of food. That’s correct, but it’s also worth considering the flip side of this. Not least Japan’s particular focus on working life.

Recently, we discovered YouTuber Mrs. Eats. She’s Japanese with an American husband, the latter of whom she met whilst he was teaching English in Nippon.

Above is a very interesting, honest, and carefully constructed video of the reality of moving to Japan. If you’re deeply ingrained in the western way of life, you may well eventually find yourself clashing with Japanese ideology. You will need a particular mindset to life there successfully.

Back to the blog topic and Mrs. Eats does cover the quietness on trains element in the below video (and how tourists

But this is why it’s important, before visiting Nippon (something we’re hoping to do in 2025), to do research about cultural norms. As lots of westerners turn up, don’t adjust their behaviour, and immediately become extremely irritating to locals.

Peace and Quiet as a Utopian Principle

Tranquillity in public areas is just something the nation respects. You can see it reflected in its culture, such as with this iconic train scene from Studio Ghibi’s Spirted Away (2003).

Modern technology and the ever-increasing population doesn’t seem to alter Japan’s focus on its long-standing traditions. It’s still considered the most polite country in the world to visit.

Once again, here’s some fancy proof.

Japanese tourists must be amazed when they visit England, or elsewhere, and see everyone pushing, shoving, talking on the phone whilst stuffing your face with crisps, and the like.

Every nation has its cultural norms, of course.

But we do side with Japan here. We’d like to see more people embrace The Quiet Side. Especially when sitting in the Quiet Coach of trains. Yes, that means you Mr. Businessman, you can’t have a meeting in there with everyone watching. You hear!?