the friendly unknown
Some thirty years ago when I first visited Tokyo I felt like I was going to visit an alien land that would take forever to understand. The language seemed strange and so it was easy to presume everything else would be difficult to understand as well.
But an observation of Japanese life showed they are milestones ahead of western thought in practical approaches. They are a nation geared to effective user experience. For instance the subways in New York and Philadelphia never had maps on the wall showing clogged routes ahead and suggesting alternate connections.
There are features in use that I have seen in the United States that I later realized were derived from Japanese innovation. For instance pulsed tone street crossing advisories.
This country has the world's oldest population. When technological innovation is coupled with user experience for the aging, it's win win for everyone and not just the aging.
Here are some examples:
- Reasability-Reasily available reading glasses is a great way to assist aging readers in this aging yet intellectual nation. There are pick up bins in post offices and medical centers as well as libraries. They are arrayed by strength. If not needed for long they are returned.
- Mobility-At major crosswalks next to the button for the walk signal is a second button that gives pedestrians additional time to cross.
- Accesibility-In most buildings with elevstor banks there is often one elevator reserved for people with wheelchairs, walkers and general disabilities.Even some escalators have been modified to take wheelchairs. Unheard of in America.
- Emergencies-Defibrillator packs for resuscitation assistance are available with usage instructions in many hotels.
- And there are maany others.
Thoughts of respect for veneration of the aging on this great Father's Day!
Recent Comments
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I wish there were more respect and veneration of the aging also here in the Western Countries too, especially at the workplaces. Here in Europe people must be under 40 to be interesting for the business world.
Better hurry up inventing a forever-young-machine.
:-)
Yes, that was true Mike.
But, for the last 20 years it has changed a lot in Sweden. The childcare is still excellent. Within the elderly care and in the hospitals they are saving money and there is not enough doctors and nurses and care staff. They are even shutting down the hospital in the region where my parents are living. That makes me sad and anxious. If something happens to my parents and other people it may not be enough time to get them to the hospital.
:-o
I wonder if it is due to restrictions on immigrants of which Europe has many Pernilla! I wish you smooth sailing in this!
Great post but mostly thanks for the reminder - last sentence. I was so busy doing WA work that I forgot I had a card and a collector's Mad Magazine for hubby. Lol.
Thanks Michael. I really enjoyed this! and what you said then is very true. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks for this post Mike.
I call this ‘RESPECT and CONSIDERATE’ for Seniors.
Have a great day & Happy Fathers Day.
Jules
Thanks for your pet very enjoyed reading this I've not been to Japan but been to China don't know if it's the same there in Japan as China but Chinese very considerate they have nice toilets some places but some places it's a concrete hole lol in the ground so but not sure about escalates havnt been in 10 year so might of changed not sure but must be similar though.
Best
Nick.
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Interesting maybe we in the US need to look closer at their culture.