How do the Japanese value time?

Question

I am doing a term paper on Japanese culture and I want to know how the Japanese treat time. Are they extremely time-conscious? Is 7 PM sharp really 7 PM sharp for them? What else must I know about the Japanese and their treatment of time? Thanks.

Answer 1

Punctuality is very important in Japanese culture, and this Japanese punctuality caused the Amagasaki rail crash (106 killed and 505 injured) in 2005. Read the articles below that explain well about the Japanese obsession with punctuality.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amagasaki_rail_crash

http://www.ikjeld.com/japannews/00000149.php

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/04/27/news/japan.php

http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Obsession-with-punctuality-takes-its-toll-on-commuters/2005/04/27/1114462101450.html

http://www.labournet.net/world/0505/japan1.html

Answer 2

I have a friends who now works in tokyo. In tokyo the subway runs every 2 mins during morning office hours. He told me that he gets the trains that come in between 7:50 to 8:00 as he has to be at work by 8:30. He also mentioned that after about a month or ctaching different trains and different times he was shocked to notice that the japanese guys are so punctual that they alwasy go by the same train everyday. he said i have since never seen a guy who takes a 7:58 train to take a 7:56 or a 8:00 train. They also stand on the same section of platform everyday and sit on almost the same seats everyday.

Answer 3

It is very funny other guys generalize Japanese in short term.
It is like a Japan in 60-70s. Today youngs are raher rude. And you will see many drunk Japanese business man in the train and city.
But one this is correct. The subway and JR trains run every 2 mins accurately in the morning and evening. No delay usually. They are controlled by computer.

Today radio clock is becoming popular in Japan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_clock

radio controlled watch
http://www.casio-europe.com/euro/watch/technology/radiocontrolled/

Answer 4

there are two types of people in japan your regular peeps and then you have the salary men. those are the ones that dress in suits and have long work hours but on the weekends they really party hard. they enjoy kareoke a lot and spend time in little hang out spots where they buy booze and have a waitress sit down with them and talk to them and stuff.. the young people spend their time in night clubs and discotechs. and yes they take the weekdays very seriously and always run on tight schedules.

Answer 5

Yes, they are very time conscious...as alot commute via rail and the schedules are perfect...no excuses!

Answer 6

This question is worth everyone's attention

Answer 7

Ahhh I think they drink a lot of rice wine smoke weed out of a skinny pipe and forget about it all. Works for me

Answer 8

It's bad