The last of interestind random things

I decided to put one more, cause this was was fairly recent, with the others there are definitely some facts that you read, and say whaaaat! thats definitely not true anymore. But what do you think about some of these? It is also funny to see what these people all wrote in common, so you can see what wierd things affect people, what they find to be odd or shocking about Japanese culture. I think it would be interesting if we all made a list of at least 20 things that we find different or interesting about japan, and where they overlap with one anothers list!!

Japan Random Interesting Facts
13 Oct, 2007 Uncategorized

- Japan has the oldest surviving monarchy in the world. The first historical emperor of Japan was Ojin, reigning from year 270 to 310, and was deified as Hachiman. Legend has it that the very first emperor was Jinmu¹, 1000 years earlier.

- Japan’s national anthem, Kimi Ga Yo (君が代), is the oldest in the world, although it was only officially recognised as such in 1999. It is based on a 9th century poem.

- English is the only foreign language taught in public Japanese schools

- The world’s largest fish market is the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo

- Japan is a heavily entertainment-based society, with probably more restaurants, cafés, bars, clubs, karaoke, game centres, manga cafés, massage parlours and relaxation centres per square kilometer than anywhere else on earth. Japan also has the world’s largest sex industry.

- Most of the Japanese have rice for/with their breakfast, lunch and dinner.

- Vandalism rates in Japan are among the least in the world.

- Vending machine for a variety of daily requirements is installed at practically every corner in Japanese cities.

- The Japanese love their pizzas topped with mayonnaise and corn.

- We refer to “Japan” as “Land of the rising sun”. The Japanese “know Japan” as “Nippon” or “Nihon” meaning “Origin of the Sun”.

- In Japanese villages there is no need to send invitations for a wedding or a funeral. They are considered community events and the entire village will help in preparing the food, and taking care of all the required arrangements.

- While eating in Japan never put in your chopstick upright into the bowl. In the past this was the way to offer food to the dead.

- You enjoy slurping while eating, but can’t do it when people (your family, friends, office staff, guests etc. etc.) are around. Japan is the place for you to be in. Here, you are expected to slurp while having liquids such as soups. If you do not, it is considered that you do not like the food and the host may feel offended.

- Japanese use a lot of fish, beef, pork, chicken and variety of seafood in their cooking. Most of their dishes are mildly spiced, flavored with a variety of soy sauces. (Yum yum!)

- Tea is served with practically all meals.

- The Japanese will shop daily for their meat, fish and vegetable requirements, as they like all their food fresh and unpreserved. This is one of the prime reasons that small and medium sized refrigerators are sold the most in Japan. (another one of the reasons why they live longer? yes.)

Sources:

http://www.jref.com/society/trivia_japan.shtml

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/interesting-facts-about-japan.html