A Go-by-the-book Society in Japan

Some regard Japanese people as being rather inflexible. A major reason for this, it’s been said, is an educational system that does not encourage free thinking but it could also be argued that Japanese even from long ago had a penchant for seeking the safest and surest way of doing things. That may be the reason why it would seem Japanese prefer to go by the book when doing almost everything. Take the photo, which shows a spot on the sidewalk at an intersection with the words “Halt,” and showing the position where the pedestrian should stop. I suppose hardly anyone will put his or her feet directly on the spot, but it’s still a valid example of how society is increasingly working to entice people to follow its rules.