There is an automobile inspection system in Japan. This is to inspect the condition of the car every few years and encourage maintenance if there is a problem. Therefore, inadequate cars do not run on public roads in Japan, and the smell of exhaust gas is mild compared to other countries.
Also, since the automobile industry is important, the Japanese government is promoting the replacement of cars by automobile inspection system.
There is a sales tax in Japan. The current tax rate is 8%. In other words, when you buy a 1,000 yen item, you need to pay 1,080 yen.
Although it was scheduled to be raised to 10% from April 2017, it was postponed to October 2019 from the economic trend.
The increasing of the sales tax is a heavy burden on low income people. Moreover, it surely stagnates consumption activity. Therefore, it may be postponed again depending on economic circumstance and election results.
Japan has been a generous country for smokers for a long time. Even now, smoking free policy is not enforced even at many restaurants unlike other countries. It is said that JT (JAPAN TOBACCO INC.) has made a large contribution to many members of the ruling coalition party and postponed legislation. However, in recent years the smoking rate has fallen to 18-19%. And the problem awareness about passive smoking is rising.
In addition, the area where smoking on the street is prohibited is increasing in Japan. In many other countries, indoor smoking is prohibited, but smoking is permitted at outdoors. However, it is the opposite in Japan. Because there was the reason for the above. There is no industry group outdoors, so legislation was possible. By the way, cars with poor maintenance status can not run on public roads in Japan, so the smell of tobacco will stand out even outdoors.
And in 2020 the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held. The host country of the Olympic games is required to enforce smoking area limitation from the International Olympic Committee. Therefore, in Tokyo, the ordinances will be implemented before that. And it will spreads to other preferences. By doing so, both outdoor and indoor except for designated areas are expected to be smoke-free.
In Japan it will be thorough as regulation begins, Because Japanese tend to do the same. The number of people who are going to quit smoking increases, and the smoking rate may decrease suddenly.
By the way, The tobacco is over 200 pesos per box. It is sold only in boxes in Japan. You can not buy it individually.
You can meet a ninja at a theme park.
I am sorry to break your dream. In a fact, Ninja appearing in manga or anime etc is fiction. The role of a ninja was not a warrior but a spy. Therefore they did not wear ninja costumes. For excample, they disguised themselves as a farmer, and engaged in secret maneuvers at the war or a power struggle. They do not use the magic called ‘ninjutsu’, and had not super natural power.
However, the demand for ninja as entertainment is high, Therefore, we sometimes see a ninja recruitment advertisement. You will may be ablet to get a job as a ninja.
Well, I want to correct it. There is a village of ninja somewhere in Japan, and ninja tribe may live in secret.
I’m used to the taste of Sinigang because I have been to the Philippines many times. But Japanese who have never been to the Philippines may be surprised. They think that taste of that sour soup “is this damaged?” Because there is no Japanese food using Tamarindo.
But Let’s serve it to a Japanese friend, you could enjoy their reaction.
Ramen is originally Chinese cuisine. But it developed independently in Japan. Now it became one of the representative of Japanese foods.
There are various kinds of ramen for each ingredient of soup. Perhaps, the most popular among Filipinos is ‘Tonkotsu Ramen.’ Anyway, pork is popular in the Philippines.
Tonkotsu means pig bones. The soup is made by boiling pig bones for a long time. It is light brown and has a deep taste.
Depending on the ramen shop, the soup has a unique smell, and there are many people love it, but some people deny it.
By the way, the home of Tonkotsu Ramen is Fukuoka prefecture. And there are many Tonkotsu Ramen shops there. A Filipino ESL teacher who is assigned to Fukuoka Prefecture may be happy.
Mt. Fuji in Japan is famous worldwide, but few people know this beautiful mountain is a volcano.
Mt. Fuji has repeated eruptions at an interval of about 100 years since ancient times. But it has not erupted for about 300 years.
Therefore, next time, it will erupt with energy three times stronger than last time. However, it may not erupt forever. But conversely, it may erupt tomorrow. It is unpredictable.
In Addition, Depending on the size of the eruption and the direction of the wind, volcanic ash accumulates, making daily life difficult. There is a high possibility that the larger damage on the east side of Mt. Fuji due to the air current.
Japan is a country with many earthquakes. If we include a weak shake, earthquakes are occurring somewhere everyday. This is because Japan is on the boundary of the following four plates from a geological.
However, do not worry. Many buildings in Japan are made of earthquake resistant construction. But some old buildings do not conform to the new building standards. So be careful when the strong earthquake occers. Especially wooden houses may cause fire due to earthquake.
Earthquakes are rare in the Philippines, and make people fuss. But Japanese do not panic with a walkable earthquake. we are used to it.
Because of that, when a big earthquake occur someday, Many Japanese may be sacrificed without evacuating immediately. But almost Filipinos may be evacuated immediately and saved.
By the way, it is unpredictable by current science technology when and where earthquakes occur.
When you first came to Japan, you might be surprised that the car is running on the left side of the road. This is British style. Although Japan has never been a British colony, it was strongly influenced by the UK on modernization that began about 150 years ago.
Also, the old samurai had a rule to walk on the left side of the road. Because they had a sword on the left side of the body. Therefore, it was necessary to avoid hitting each other’s sword when passing each other. Perhaps this custom was adopted for car traffic.
The statue of Dr. Jose Rizal is built in Hibiya Park in Tokyo. It is a memorial that he came to Japan in 1888 and stayed at a nearby hotel.
Well, the other day, the event “Philippine Festival 2017” was held at that Hibiya Park. 90% of the visitors are Filipino residents in Japan. The event is exciting with singing, dancing and parades by Filipino entertainers.
I heard that Rizal is a hero of the revolution and a historic great man for Filipinos. So I thought that many visitors would do a commemorative photograph in front of his statue. However, most people did not care. I felt a little unexpected. You guys are not interested in the monument of your hero who stands in a foreign land?
But later, when I asked an acquaintance Filipino about that, she said “Because we are familiar with his monuments, we are more interested in Japanese-style things.” I see.