How come Tokyo is so clean and NYC is so dirty?

Answer 1

To me, living in Tokyo more than 30 years, Tokyo have changed a lot. When I was kid, it was very clean. But today, when I see the area around the convenience stores and tourist areas, I can find plastic bags easily. I always feel sorry, and give a sigh.
Elder Japanese, grandmother generations, clean up the street every morning, but teens doesn't seem to take care throwing them away.

However, as a whole, I feel most part of Japan is clean. Rural area, the toilet in the business building and restaurant, the train, the clear space, etc.

When I traveled some places in Asia, I wouldn't say which area, but when I saw the clearance in between buildings and its backyard, I was often startled at the view. And the toilet were too smelly and dirty.
At the clear space, people didn't seem they care the rubbles, weeds and garbages left in there. I have seen similar scene in the Europe as well.


Taiwan was clean, I guess.
I wouldn't have a chance to go to NYC (I am not interested in the east coast), however, I would like to check the west coast, like L.A. and San Franc.

I guess it depends on which part of the city and when you see, doesn't it? Before Mayor Edward Koch, the Halem was terrible. I could confirm the dirtiness even via TV screen. But today, it have changed. I know there are lots of beautiful place in the US as well.


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Answer 2

Tokyo is the capital of Japan, and the place where over 13 million people live, making it one of the most populous cities in the world but also, a big city to visit, find out more with hotelbye . Most of the city was devastated by the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, and then again by the bombing in the WWII, however, Tokyo was able to achieve a remarkably rapid recovery both times. The main attraction of Tokyo is the Imperial Palace with its beautiful 17th-century parks surrounded by walls and moats. The palace is still in use by the Imperial family.

Answer 3

I read Joriental comments and I agree on some of his views,,

I lived in TOKYO for many years,,,and this is a city,,,,not just small town,,, there are clean and not so clean areas..
,, at night ,, you can see those jumbo mices on the street corners,,,on the platforms,,near garbage cans etc,,which I saw in other countries too,,
There are these huge crows,,, in the morning waiting for garbages and victims ,,, so don;t get closer to them or distract them.. I just happened to lived in a 5th floor apartment mansion and you can see them on the post or roofs, trees , in the morning they are noisier than the rooster, imagine..dozens of them., worst I had neighbor who owned a parrot,,which is huge too,,so can you imagine the noise every morning. .. atleast the parrot is on its cage,,, sometimes they will kicked and pecked passers by on the head going to work..,and those stray cats,,they are dirty but looks well fed... wonder how these creatures got into the city of Tokyo?
These are hungry creatures looking for foods,,where they get their rations?
If you go to bridges or river,,,you can see old bicycles being thrown on the water... cans, beer bottles etc
, ,, be thankful for those who always look after these places and give warnings not to dispose garbage near these birdges, ..if you happen to live in a cleaner place, be thankful,
be thankful of the street cleaners who have heart to take out those cigarette butts on the bus stations,,or parks. etc,,

Be thankful for those neighbors who follow the rules of disposing garbages.. they contribute to cleanliness of the city,, No offense, Every city has a problem. of their own ..it takes cooperation to maintain the cleanliness of the said city..young or old...Yes,,maybe we don't need to compare these great cities but contribute what we can to lessen those bad views..what I heard, Singapore is cleaner..that's all. no idea.NYC has to deal with their problems of making the city clean anyways..

Joriental..I mean ..you mentioned someone is keep asking questions similar like this and comparing... and you don't know if this is the same person using other names. that's why I asked if you smell something fishy? not relevant to my answer.
.sorry for misundertanding the last part I have asked to you..good day!
and..
about the clean up drive ..nice ! I should follow the report for Tokyo clean up drive ..I also took part of cleaning streets for community.when I was living there..

Answer 4

Tokyo is cleaner than a lot of big cities I've been to. There are some strict laws in Tokyo and people are respectful of what they have.

Answer 5

I don't think that Tokyo is very clean. Lots of people just throw rubbish anywhere.

Answer 6

Okay, look around at what kind of trash it is?
Lots of junk food wrappers right?
In Japan it is culturally rude to eat/drink and walk, so that cuts our a whole lot of the littering problem.
In Hokkaido where it snows piles up to the MOON!!, people put their cigarettes out in the snow, little do they know, when the snow melts there are cigarette butts everywhere! lol. They have alot of advertising in the winter to help people remember that.

Answer 7

Do not compare one country with another having different culture and traditions.

America is a country of immigrants and hard to follow one rules but Japan is easier. Since childhood children learn manners but gradually they also forget but what they learn in Kindergarten they remember. Therefore they are eager to line up in a que when sale is going on, raise hand when crossing a road,(some adults). Walk in a group.

That is the key of cleanliness in Japan not only Tokyo mostly.