Japan is a country that boasts a rich history and culture. It’s no surprise that it has become one of the top tourist destinations in the world. However, with the rise of modernization and globalization, Japan has undergone significant changes in recent years. While the country has certainly modernized in many ways. It still retains its ancient traditions and customs that have been passed down through generations. It looks grand on the outside, but local life is not like that. See the evidence below that showcases how Japan is modern for tourists, yet retains its ancient charm for locals:
1. Hard To Get A Private Phone Number
Getting a new mobile number in other developed countries is not as easy as buying it in a store. People have to work harder to sign contracts with relatively expensive rents, and they can only use this telephone number to receive calls and messages. Cancelling the number will incur a rejection fee that is 3 times more expensive than the rental price.
2. Cashless? Big No!
People in Japan rarely use on-cash payments for transactions because the transition from cash to non-cash payments is much more difficult for them. Many restaurants and bars only accept cash, and even locals often express surprise at the technological advances in non-cash payment systems around the world.
3. CDs (Compact Discs) Still Sell A Lot.
While various countries have transitioned to the era of digital files, CDs have not become extinct in Japan. This is because several major music platforms, such as Spotify and Apple Music, have not run as smoothly as in other countries, and music streaming services are not yet widely known. Japanese people are used to CDs that can be easily obtained at nearby stores, and many still own and use iPhones or other smartphones.
The 3 examples above are one of many other examples that Japan, which is known as modern, is still stuck in the past in several aspects. Have you ever noticed that too? Give your opinion in the comments column!
