To the outsider, Japan is an exotic and interesting place to visit. The safety, cleanliness and hospitality usually jumps out at most visitors. Many perceptions are not necessarily rooted in reality. Things are not always as they appear, and a little understanding of Japanese subculture can help to explain things and often enhance the appreciation of Japan. Here are some examples of Japanese subculture.
- Gambling is illegal in Japan. However, take a look at the game of pachinko (Japanese pinball) For anyone who has played pachinko or has seen the noisy parlors, it seems like an activity motivated in winning money. Actually, it is. What distinguishes pachinko from gambling in Japanese law is the fact that no monetary payout is made by the pachinko parlor. Only prizes such as candy, stuffed animals and innocent looking "tokens" are awarded. Those "tokens" are valuable only in the local area and only to the local pachinko parlor area where they are exchanged for cash at another, distinct establishment officially not associated with the pachinko parlor (at least on paper or under government registration). The exchange establishment is usually a small window in the side of a building around the corner from the pachinko parlor entrance. After placing your tokens on the small counter at the window, cash magically appears. Believe it or not, this is not gambling in Japan.
- Japan has a chronic homeless problem just like any other country in the world, however, the homeless in Japan often have some characteristics not shared by homeless in other developed countries. For instance, many have day jobs where they earn enough to eat and take care of their daily needs. Some even have bank accounts and have substantial savings. There is chronic alcoholism amongst the homeless in Japan but drug use is far less prevalent than in other countries. A very good book on day workers was published a few years back on Sanya called Sanya Blues by Edward Fowler, describing an area in Nihonzutsumi, Taito ward where day workers congregate and live, some in flop houses, others in homeless encampments. One thing a tourist doesn't have to be worried about is being solicited, panhandled or bothered by homeless people in Japan. There are laws against this and most don't want to deal with the consequences. It's perfectly safe to walk past. You will almost never see signs or containers to throw coins in, either. Despite such outward appearances, they are not homeless by choice. To an outsider, it might appear like this, yet - most in Japan realize that the homeless population were a product of Japan's recession and the termination of "salary men" jobs.
