Two defining characteristics of the Japanese people are general humility and the ability to get along harmoniously with others in your group, class or organization. One useful mechanism that helps bring these traits out in people is the practice of students cleaning their own classrooms, including regular cleaning each week as well as oh-souji or “big cleaning” when the school year ends. Taking responsibility for cleaning of one’s own space is considered part of what schools teach, important for creating well-rounded citizens since nothing builds character like cleaning a few toilets. The interesting thing is, this cleaning isn’t overseen by the teachers or anything, but is organized by the students themselves, and if someone shirks his cleaning duties he’ll have to endure the anger of his peers. Schools aren’t the only places where people clean their own area: most employees of companies also do this too, including the staff of J-List. For the first 30 minutes on Monday morning, we empty trash, wipe down desks, vacuum and sweep so we can have a clean and productive week. How do you do things in your country?
Japanese students do their own cleaning.
