The TV news kept us abreast of the mounting death toll, which seemed to be mostly old people in badly run old peoples homes. On the trains a lot more people were wearing those surgeons masks in an effort to protect themselves from the virus, at least that what I always believed the purpose of those masks was.
"Japanese don't like dirty", explained one of my students. By that I supposed he meant that viruses are dirty. All depends how you define dirty I guess.
Japanese don't like dirty? But many do enjoy spitting, smoking and peeing in the streets (the men that is, the women never smoke on the street). This must be some new definition of the word "dirty" that I have been unaware of. I asked some of my students why some Japanese men spit. They all agreed it is a dirty and disgusting habit which they disapprove of. They had never done it themselves of course. One female student suggested it could be because "the Japanese have weak throats...". Weak throats? Well it's a possibility I suppose. Of course it would fit into "the Japanese are unique and different from all other human beings on the planet" theory, but I'm not convinced.
The Weak Throat Theory eh? So spitting is the result of a uniquely Japanese trait and therefore socially acceptable, at least for men.
In my opinion the spitting, the smoking, the wearing of surgical masks and many other phenomena can all be explained when you understand and accept the principle that "Japanese people do things because other Japanese people are doing it". It's your basic group dynamic, a tribal thing, the nail that sticks up will be hammered down. Applying this principle to everyday situations makes the strangest behavior understandable... well at least to a point.
For example, let's say you're walking down a street in Shibuya. Coming towards you are four young Japanese girls. They appear to be clones of each other. All have dyed and greystreaked hair, the same over application of silvery makeup, the clothes, the same 8 inch high ugly platform boots, and the same leopard spot pattern bags hanging at the same position on their backs... you get the picture?
"Why do they all dress exactly the same?" you ask.
"Aren't they embarrassed to look so similar? Don't they want to show at least a little individuality? I know they're only teenagers, and teenagers in all countries are horribly conformist to style, but, come on!..."
Take off those western glasses and have a look through these. Now what do you see?
"Ah! Oh, I see now. They dress like that because ... they all dress like that."