This is an enjoyable thread on Japan-with-beginner-eyes; I wouldn't have noticed most of it. h/t @Pinboard
Might contribute a few notes in replies to this tweet, which is clearly not going to be a happy Twitter experience but we work with the software we have...https://twitter.com/mwichary/status/958979895882760193 …
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Instructions are broadcast when there is an actual emergency. They're generally on the order of "For an X brand machine, punch anything through the top right corner of the display; it's just paper. Moderate force will take the entire front of the display off; take drinks."
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You might ask "Wait a second -- they design substantially every vending machine in the company to be stolen from by any ten year old." and you'll get a "Geez, what are you designing your ten year olds for?!" if you bring that up here.
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There will come a time when "Tsunami alert. Seek shelter immediately. Get to 15m above sea level. Get to 15m above sea level." is broadcast over the city. On that day, you don't want to have to guess, so you put elevations where everyone will check.https://twitter.com/mwichary/status/959219055197437952 …
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School zone from 7:30 to 8:30; similar function to the same instruction in the US.https://twitter.com/mwichary/status/959223543928995840 …
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"Welcome [to Japan]! *picture of snowman*" https://twitter.com/mwichary/status/959227130461605888 … (Translator's note: The location you're being welcomed to is implicit in the language and heavily implied by ようこそ being the name of the international tourism program.)
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The reason for women's only cars is rampant sexual assault on trains/subways, with a specific hot spot being during rush hour, when people are pressed skin-to-skin. Japan has made attempted improvements but doesn't have social will to stop it dead.https://twitter.com/mwichary/status/959276936982704128 …
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The first one says "Beware of door! Don't touch the door; you may be injured." The other two are adequately if not literally translated.https://twitter.com/mwichary/status/959283310475145216 …
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This is most frequently at places which are catering to the salaryman crowd, who might only have had a few hours for dinner at that point. (This sounds like an exaggeration. It is not.)https://twitter.com/mwichary/status/959284533244784640 …
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Disabled folks and advocates for them in Japan have their own set of complaints, but it is true that a lot of public infrastructure anticipates their needs. (You'll also see many more behaviorially disabled children in public than in the US. Deep topic.)https://twitter.com/mwichary/status/959288221229203456 …
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This restaurant was the de-facto lunchroom for the Stripe Japan office, although I always felt bad when we e.g. flew someone all the way out to Japan and feed them a cheeseburger. (Great food and, critically, can seat 12 instantly.)https://twitter.com/mwichary/status/959323674439442432 …
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If you want to buy a ticket to go in and get out at the same station, there is a specialized ticket for that (costs ~$1.50). If you do it on regular ticket, error. Talk to the attendant & they'll let you out, or use fare adjustment machine (inside gates).https://twitter.com/mwichary/status/959329216444612608 …
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"Why different tickets?! Why not just buy the usual 140 yen ticket?" Because some bright individuals figured you can get on at Tokyo station, purchase an in-and-out ticket, travel across country, meet a confederate with 2 in-and-out tickets at station, and steal $200 in service.
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End of conversation
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