What do you dislike about Japan ?

[Mr Man]

I hate the national obsession with consuming brands and accumulating status symbols, which just goes to further strengthen the idea that appearances are everything here. Although, not entirely unique to Japan only, it is a problem in that it creates an indifference to nature and preservation of resources, a tendency to feel entitled to unfettered self indulgence, which leads to obscene amounts of wastage!!! Most Japanese grow up in a highly urbanized environment. Their macro-focus on the environment is ultimately destructive, as they become accustomed to appreciating tiny nuggets of natural beauty within the ever expanding urban sprawl. Japanese kids lack even basic respect for the environment, i.e putting the garbage in a bin!! Couple this with the fact that municipal governments don't supply public trash bins and it results in the huge amounts of garbage you see everywhere.

[KirinMan]

it results in the huge amounts of garbage you see everywhere.

Wow you know that's the first time I ever heard anyone complain about Japan being dirty. Interesting observation.

[Mr Man]

Wow you know that's the first time I ever heard anyone complain about Japan being dirty. Interesting observation.

Admittedly, this is NOT the dirtiest country on the planet, (India makes this place look positively sterile) but it's definitely not what I'd classify as a clean country either, probably because I come from one of the cleanest. (Mind you, if NZ had the population of Japan, I would probably have to eat my words) I could go on about all the postitive aspects of life here too, but those are things I don't want to see changed. There is always room for improvement, and to complain (constructively) is a healthy way to perhaps get a ball or two rolling.