Trivia: Why do Japanese people eat soba on New Year's Eve?

Q.

Why do Japanese people eat soba on New Year's Eve?

A.

It is a long tradition to eat soba on New Year's Eve. It's called "toshikoshi soba" (年越しそば).

Soba (buckwheat noodle) is said to bring good luck because:

1. its long and thin noodles symbolize long life expectancy.

2. soba is soft and easily cut, which represents how one can cut off all bad lucks and negative energy from the year in order to start fresh in the coming year.

3. traditionally, Japanese craftsmen would use buckwheat to clean up gold and silver scattered on the floor.
   

How do you spend New Year's Eve?

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Trivia: When is the deadline for sending New Year's Card for it to arrive on the 1st of January?

Q.

When is the deadline for sending New Year's Cards for them to arrive on the 1st of January?

a) Dec 20th

b) Dec 25th

c) Dec 30th

A.

The answer is b) Dec 25th Christmas day! 

While many people in the world are busy getting ready for Christmas feast with families, Japanese people are busy writing New Years Card (年賀状) on Christmas as it is the last day to post them for it to arrive on the New Year, 1st of January.

Traditionally, New Year's Card was sent to EVERYONE. Not just relatives and friends but also coworkers,  teachers, doctors and acquaintances. Preparing for New Year's Card is a whole event in itself, just like preparing Christmas gifts. Some people customize their cards using software and others even design each card by hand which could take days if not weeks.

Nowadays, Nengajyo (年賀状) is getting less popular and people send happy new year message through LINE and call it a day. Increasingly, people are focused on celebrating Christmas.

How do you spend Christmas? 

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Trivia: What are some popular characters from Japan that are celebrated worldwide?

Q.

What are some popular characters from Japan that are celebrated worldwide?

A.

Below are just few of Japan-made characters which have become globally successful:

• Pikachu from Pokemon: Pokemon was first introduced in 1996 as a video game on the Game Boy. Currently, Pokemon has more than 913 fictional species and has become the symbol of Japanese pop culture.
  

• Hello Kitty from Sanrio: Hello Kitty was created in 1974 by an employee of the Sanrio company. In 1990, Sanrio Puroland was built and has created over 400 characters since. The reason why Hello Kitty has no mouth is so that the owners can project their own or desired emotions to Hello Kitty.
  

• Mario: Super Mario Bros was released in 1985 which featured Mario, a carpenter with a mustache wearing an overall and a hat. Originally, Mario used to be called "Jumpman" as he had to leap over obstacles. It was created by video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto who also created Donkey Kong.
  

• Sailor Moon: Naoko Takeuchi created Sailor Moon for young girls to have something to relate to. This is why the character is somewhat average, instead of an ideal hero. Many of the characteristics of Sailor Moon were drawn from her own experience. She wanted to depict life in middle school as she believes it's one of the most difficult times for girls. 
  

• Doraemon: The first Doraemon manga was issued in1969. Doraemon is sent from the future to help lazy and irresponsible Nobita. With unique powers like "dokodemo door" and "take copter", Doraemon became one of the most loved characters in Japan. 
  

What is your favorite character created in Japan? 

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Trivia: Pets and children in Japan - which is more?

Q.

Pets and children in Japan - which is more?

a) pets

c) children

A.

The answer is a) pets! 

Approximately, the population of children in Japan is 14 million while there are almost 20 million pets in 2021.

As pet shops are very popular in Japan, the majority of owners buy pets from pet stores in contrast to adopting one, especially in Tokyo. 

Many owners living in urban areas opt for small dogs as apartments tend to be small and have no access to a garden or a patio. Japan has strict rules on pets, and the majority of the stores and restaurants do not allow pets to enter the premises. On a train, pets have to be covered or kept inside a cage.

It might be surprising that even some parks do not allow entry of dogs and cats to maintain cleanliness, as some owners forget to clean up after their pets.

However, many people still choose to get pets for psychological support, as having pets often increase happiness and alleviate stress and loneliness. 

Do you have pets? 

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Trivia: Which American movie was adapted from Japan?

Q.

Which American film was adapted from a Japanese film?

a) The Ring
b) Godzilla
c) The Grudge
d) One Missed Call

A.

The answer is all of the above!

Japanese horror movies, also called J-Horror, is a go-to genre Hollywood seeks for a good remake. J-Horror has a unique perspective and cinematography that attracts Western viewers. 

Some sociologists suggest that people like watching horror movies because of the phenomenon called excitation transfer. Our initial reaction to watching a scary scene is shock and fear, which causes an increase in heart rate and heavy breathing and triggers other physical reactions. After the fear wears down, viewers experience intense relief. This positive feeling floods the brain with feel-good chemicals.

If you enjoy the adrenaline rush, watch the original Japanese version of the horror movies this Halloween!

Have you seen any J-Horror movies? 

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Trivia: Does Japan sell more baby diapers or adult diapers?

Q.

Does Japan sell more baby diapers or adult diapers?

A.

The answer is adult diapers!

Due to low birth rate and high life expectancy, adult diapers are produced more than baby diapers in Japan.

In 2020, Japanese people aged 65 and older accounted for about 28% of the population. 
In the same year, the birth rate fell to the lowest since the records began in 1899, dropping to approximately 3% of the population.

As a result, Japan is facing a serious shortage of caregivers. Some people have no choice but to quit their job in their 40s or 50s to take care of their families or relatives.

As one of the ways to tackle this issue, Japanese government introduced a new working visa for foreigners. Those who passed the National Exam for Care Worker Certification are guaranteed a work visa to work in Japan as a caregiver. 

Did you get the answer right? 

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Trivia: What does "Japan" mean?

Q.

What does "Japan" mean?

A.

Japan (日本), pronounced Nippon or Nihon, means "the land of the rising sun" (日出ずる国).

Seemingly simple, the Japanese flag actually has a lot of meaning behind it.

The red circle which is called "Hinomaru" (日の丸) is the sun.
The white background is said to symbolize the honesty and integrity of the Japanese people.
The combination of the color red and white (紅白) is traditionally linked to celebrations. 

One of the most popular TV programs airing on New Year's Eve is called Kohaku Uta Gassen (紅白歌合戦), where the red team and the white team of singers compete and celebrate the New Year together. This program has been airing every year since 1951!

What do you think about this culture? 

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Trivia: What is "baito" ?

Q.

What is "baito"?

A.

Baito, short for arubaito (アルバイト) which comes from the German word “Arbeit”, means part-time job in Japan. In most cases, this word is used to describe students, especially university students, with part-time jobs on the side. 

Interestingly, when "baito" is used for adults, it starts to hold negative connotations. Unfortunately, there is a stigma around contract work or short-term employment in Japan. Full-time work with benefits is considered honorable and the only "real" job. Adults with part-time jobs are seen as incompetent. 

Women tend to occupy these contract and part-time jobs, as Japanese companies lack the system to support full-time working mothers. 

What do you think about this culture? 

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Trivia: What is hanko?

Q.

What is hanko?

A.

Hanko, also called inkan is a carved stamp of a name that is used to receive packages, open a bank account, or sign a contract. 

Even if you are a foreigner, if you reside in Japan and plan to get documents issued from a bank or do any kind of official signing of a contract, you should get one as just signing will not be accepted in most cases. 

Although hanko culture is fading slowly, it is expected to stick around for a while. Hanko can be found in many  places like 100 yen shops however, it only has hanko with popular Japanese last names. As this is the case, you will likely need to order a personalized hanko for yourself! 

What do you think about hanko? 

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Trivia: What activities do Japanese people enjoy in Obon month?

Q.

What activities do Japanese people enjoy in Obon?

A.

August is an exciting month for Japanese people as Obon is approaching.
Students are on summer break and workers are excited to finally take a long-awaited vacation.

During August, as one of the popular activities, Japanese people enjoy going to see the fireworks (花火大会). 

・Itabashi Firework Festival (いたばし花火大会)

・Sumidagawa River Firework Festival (隅田川花火大会)

・Edogawa River Firework Festival (江戸川区花火大会)

・Tokyo Bay Grand Firework Festival (東京湾華火祭)

・Adachi Firework Festival (足立の花火)

As the firework festival is very popular in Japan, some of the biggest firework festivals attract 1.3 million people! As this is the case, the streets can get VERY crowded. If you arrive just in time for the firework starts, it is likely that you won't be able to see the fireworks because of the line ups. Some people will mark their spot weeks before the festival starts to secure their spot! However, this extreme "bashodori" (securing spot) is usually prohibited. It is permitted only from the day of the festival in most cases so make sure you are aware of the rules.

Many Japanese people will take this opportunity to wear yukata (浴衣) and enjoy yatai (屋台), an outdoor food court! 

Have you been to firework festivals? 

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Trivia: How long can you use your International Driving Permit?

Q.

How long can you use your International Driving Permit?

a) 3 months

b) 6 months

c) 1 year

A.

The answer is c) 1 year!

The International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Toad Traffic allows you to drive for up to 1 year from the day you entered Japan. 

If you plan to drive frequently or use a driver's license as an ID, you can convert your foreign driver's license to a Japanese license. This process is called "Gaimen Kirikae". In order to apply, an official copy of your jumin-hyo and offical Japanese translation of the foreign license will likely be required.

For more information, visit: https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/multilingual/english/traffic_safety/drivers_licenses/index.html 
(Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Website)

Note that if your foreign driver's license is from Belgium, France, Germany, Monaco, Switzerland or Taiwan, the application process may be slightly different. 

Before driving in Japan, please be aware of traffic rules and be extra careful especially in Tokyo, as the road tends to be narrow!

Do you have a Japanese driver's license?

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Trivia: How many Kit Kat flavors are there in Japan?

Q.

How many Kit Kat flavors are there in Japan?

A.

It is said that there are over 300 Kit Kat flavors in Japan. Some are limited edition, seasonal and unique flavors representing different regions in Japan.

Kit Kat soon became a lucky charm as Kit Kat sounds similar to きっと勝つ ( kitto Katsu - meaning you will win ) in Japanese. Students taking school entrance exams or people participating in a competition of some sort would eat or bring Kit Kat on their important days.

Kit Kat has experimental flavors that intrigue the consumers such as Japanese sake and wasabi flavor. Many buy them as omiyage when they travel within Japan!

Which Kit Kat flavor is your favorite? 

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Trivia: Which one of these was first invented in Japan?

Q.

Which of the following was first invented in Japan? 

a. car navigation systems

b. credit cards

c. chopsticks 

A.

The answer is a. car navigation system!

A map-based car navigation system was first invented by researchers of Honda in 1981. As this was before the invention of GPS, this innovative technology was a breakthrough for the automobile industry. Needless to say, the navigation system is standard worldwide nowadays with a variety of convenient features.

A selfie stick is also an invention of Japan. It started gaining popularity around 10 years ago however, the first selfie stick was created 40 years ago! 

There are a lot more Japanese inventions, do you know any? 

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Trivia: Why do people ask about blood type?

Q.

Why do people in Japan ask what your blood type is?

A.

Japanese people believe that blood type is an essential indicator of one's personality. Although scientists have debunked this myth, blood type remains a big factor for determining one's character. It influences how people are perceived and decisions are made regarding relationships based on blood type compatibilities.

People have different beliefs, but generally speaking, Type A is the organized perfectionist. Type O is easy-going and untidy. Type B is the creative one and Type AB is the rare unique one. 

Although this blood-type obsession remains a harmless fun, it cannot be denied that in some cases, it is used as a tool to discriminate against others. This is called blood type harassment (ブラハラ) in Japan. Certain blood types tend to experience discrimination or bullying at school. Some adults experience loss of job opportunities as they are judged as "different" and "difficult" based on their blood type. 

Do you know your blood type? What do you think about this culture?

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Trivia: How long does it take to climb Mt. Fuji?

Q.

How long does it take to climb Mt. Fuji?

a. 1-5 hours 

b. 5-10 hours

c. 10-15 hours

A.

The answer is b. 5-10 hours! 

As Mt. Fuji does not pose any major difficulties in terms of climbing, it can be climbed in a day. Trails and facilities are open from early July to mid-September and get crowded especially during summer breaks and the Obon period. 

There are important rules that need to be followed especially after Mt. Fuji won UNESCO world heritage status in 2013. Picking flowers and plants, camping, bringing home rocks, bringing pets, and damaging the area in any way is strongly prohibited to preserve the mountain. 

As they offer multiple different hiking courses, make sure to do some research and plan accordingly!  

Have you climbed mountains before?

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Trivia: Why don't Japanese people hold the door open for the next person?

Q.

Why don't Japanese people hold the door open for others?

A.

One of the possible reasons is that they don't want to inconvenience others. Those holding the door feel bad about rushing the person walking behind. Those walking behind feel bad for making strangers open doors for them. This is a good example of "kiwotsukau", thinking about others before yourself. 

As the interaction between people in public tends to be limited especially in Tokyo, simply the practice of holding the door open does not exist as much when compared to the West. That said, there can be two reasons why people hold the door open for others. One is as an act of kindness toward close friends, family, and significant others. The other is to show a sign of respect to clients and customers.

How is it different in your culture?

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Trivia: Is it inappropriate to ask people's age in Japan?

Q.

Is it inappropriate to ask people's age in Japan?

A.

Generally speaking, age is used to determine the formality of language that should be used to communicate. Japanese people want to know your age in order to figure out the appropriate style of speech and adjust behaviors accordingly. It is one of the important information when starting a relationship with Japanese people. Perhaps, it is similar to how Japanese people ask about blood types! 

Did you know why people ask your age a lot? What is it like in your culture?

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Trivia: What not to do with chopticks

Q.

Which of the following is a big no-no in Japan when using chopsticks?

a. inserting chopsticks into rice

b. pass food between people with chopsticks

c. point at objects or people with chopsticks

A.

The answer is ALL THREE!

Using chopsticks in ways that dishonor food being served is considered ill-mannered. As passing food between people with chopsticks is only done in funerals when handling cremated bones, this is especially a big no-no.

Other rules include placing chopsticks in X shape instead of placing parallel to one another and making noise/playing with chopsticks. Also, some people might be surprised, but you should not stick chopsticks into food! 

Did you know all the rules? Can you think of another one?

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Trivia: What is the concept of "ronin"?

Q.

What is the concept of "ronin"?

A. 

Ronin (浪人) is a word describing a gap year between high school graduation and starting university. It indicates a person who did not get accepted to the university of their choice and is willing to dedicate an additional year to study for the entrance exam.

The Kanji 浪人 can be roughly translated as “uncertainty of waves”. The word describes the state of people and situations changing without knowing where to head.

As education is a high priority, going to a “prestigious” university is a huge deal in Japan. Students put a lot of pressure to get into a university of their choice!

What do you think about this culture?

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Trivia: What is the unpopular day in Japan?

Q.

Which of these is an unpopular “holiday” in Japan? 

a. Children's Day

b. Pocky Day

c. April Fool's Day

d. Thanksgiving Day

A.

The answer is c. April Fool's Day! As the first of April is the beginning of the school year and the first day of work for many people, this date is important and significant among Japanese people. Because of the nature of this date, no one really remembers April Fool's Day and no one wants to trick people or prank people on such a celebratory day!

In your culture, what day is important?

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