domain WHY JAPAN? Social systems and infrastructure

“Shikansen”, commonly known as the bullet train, is a high-speed rail network in Japan. Shinkansen is not only famous for being extremely punctual and safe, it also strives to provide a comfortable environment for its passengers.

Between the arrival and departure of a train, dedicated workers clean the train in just seven minutes. They bow and welcome the Shinkansen train and its passengers. They then enter the train cars and wipe down the tray tables, collect the trash, sweep the floor, adjust the seats, pick up any forgotten items, then finally leave the train and bow again, all in just seven minutes.

This miraculous feat has been dubbed the “7-minute miracle” by media. This practice has been used as a case study by many renowned business schools, including Harvard Business School. Through this seven-minute miracle, witness Japanese workers’ dedication to their work, even when it comes to seemingly insignificant tasks.

Japan’s Linear Chuo Shinkansen, a maglev line, is the epitome of Japan’s cutting edge high speed railway technology. This bullet train is the fastest train in the world, operating at 500km/hr and even reaching a record-breaking 603km/hr speed in a test run in 2015.
Visit Yamanashi Prefectural Maglev Exhibition Centre and see the fastest train in the world. Get a feel for what accelerating to and traveling at 500km/hr is like in the Maglev Theater and witness the future of maglev trains.

Japan is known for having the most punctual, safest, and cleanest railway network in the world. Trains of different designs and colors travel throughout Japan, driving the country's economic growth and connecting people. With this 15-minute long reenactment of railroad operation, students will be able to observe how a train conductor handles different kinds of unexpected scenarios and how railway controllers manage the tracks to ensure safety for all the passengers. This highly realistic performance helps students understand all the training and hard work behind the smooth operation of railways.

Japan is known for having highly efficient, safe, and precise logistics across various sectors. Consumers can send packages to their friends or family without worrying about the packages getting lost or damaged; farmers can distribute their produce to markets in other cities and know that their fruits will stay fresh and unbruised. Japan’s highly reliable logistics play a major role in providing a convenient environment for society.
Through visiting logistics facilities, students will be able to understand what logistics entails and learn about the role logistics play in different industries.

Waste disposal is an increasing serious issue in a world of overpopulation and overconsumption. Japan has always been at the forefront of sustainable waste disposal policies. Strict garbage disposal regulations and management help keep the environment clean and improve the quality of life of Japanese citizens. In Japan, garbage is sorted and processed meticulously according to their properties (e.g. recyclable v. non-recyclable, paper v. metal) in order to minimize their impact on the environment.

Japan is a leading country in both water treatment and water distribution. Tap water in Japan is potable and all the streams flowing through cities are free of pollution, providing a pleasant environment for both locals and visitors. The impressive water quality is the result of highly advanced technologies and stringent management, which students can learn about by visiting Japan’s water processing facilities.