I often write about how Japan seems to be following behind the U.S. and Europe by about 10-15 years, a belief that’s quite common among the Japanese themselves, who perceive that their country is less “advanced,” only making major social changes after the ideas have become well-rooted in the West. It was recently announced that a starting in April, smoking will be completely banned in most JR stations in the Tokyo area, good news to those who dislike smelling others’ cigarettes but a blow to Joe Salaryman who just wants a quick puff before getting on the train for home. Looking back, it was right about a decade or so ago that smoking bans really came into their own in the States with California’s widespread limits on smoking in many public places in 1998, so the timing seems to be holding up pretty well. Incidentally, if you’re wondering why everything “official” like government-run programs or the Japanese school year always seem to start in April, the answer is cultural. To the Japanese mind-set, spring represents a new beginning, and it’s natural that important changes be timed to start in the season of renewal.
