Wilma C. Inventor-Miranda l June 5, 2024 l Business Mirror
The recent trip we had just this May 2024 as a family was in Tokyo, Japan as a family reunion and at the same time to celebrate my birthday. According to the latest survey of statista.com, the number one destination of Filipinos between January and February 2024 is Japan at 48.9 percent followed by New Zealand at 10.7 percent (a far second) and South Korea at 10.2 percent.
Google Flights shows that the most searched destination from June to August 2023 is Tokyo, Japan followed by Singapore and at third is Bangkok, Thailand. And in Japan the most popular destinations are Tokyo topping the list, followed by Osaka and Kyoto.
Why is Japan a favorite tourist destination? Personally, my reasons to go to Japan is it is safer like Singapore, for tourists to visit. We already witnessed and even encountered pickpocket incidents in other countries such as in Europe where one of the members of our family was sandwiched between the pickpockets who asked for his wallet and cellphone while we were walking. They did not know we were at the back and when we saw it, my daughter immediately shouted to them to back off. They released him, but the thieves were still inside the coffee shop where we were.
When I saw them again walking towards the door, I shouted “pickpocket”. We reported them to a policeman (they were still there when the policeman came to talk to us), but sadly the cops said they cannot apprehend the thieves since no item was taken from us. But I understand they already knew who these people are. If an item was actually taken from tourists, police can just put these people behind bars, but they will eventually be released after 4 days if there are no court cases. And if you are a tourist why bother filing a case when your time in their country is so limited?
In another country in Europe, we were behind a man who was in business suit. These gypsies who were famous in snatching wallets and cellphones suddenly placed their hands inside the pocket of the suit the man is wearing. It is a good thing that the would-be victim was able to secure his wallet and drove away the gypsies (who were in their teens). Later I went inside a famous boutique scouring their dresses displayed on the racks, when a pregnant woman kept following me. The guard of the store then approached her and she went away. You would not suspect she is a pickpocket because she was pregnant.
Japan is not only safer but it is also near the Philippines, has a rich culture and history and of course, the shopping experience (you are assured there are no fake items there) and the food (authentic and unique) make it an attractive destination.
We had been in Osaka and Kyoto before but travelling to Japan makes you want to go back again and again. The people are so polite and not boisterous or loud and disciplined. I love their toilets particularly the toilet bowls which are renowned for their state-of-the-art features. Their toilet seats are heated, with air deodorizers, bidet functions on the toilet itself not in a separate bidet faucet, sound effects for privacy, automatic lid opening and closing, unique flushing and seat lifting and the design intended to be energy-efficient. And mind you, this kind of toilet is found in all commercial establishments I visited, whether big or small. All the restrooms or toilets were sparkling clean. And I am so impressed.
The culture of Japan of being neat had been ingrained in my mind. Years ago, when we were in a coffee shop, we saw the manager herself pick a teeny-weeny piece of paper on the floor. This stuck in my brain that even when there is just a tiny piece of paper on the floor I remember that manager, and I instinctively pick up it up (of course I cannot do that when I don’t have the time to do so) but I want to do it if I can wherever I am, believing that if we have to influence others with a culture we so admire we should start with ourselves.
In short, travelling exposed us to different countries with their different cultures. We can bring that part of culture which we admire to our country (if it is possible), and start a silent osmosis of a change for the good of all. A lighted candle can either harm by causing a fire but one lighted candle can also illuminate the life of a person and of a country as a whole if used properly.
Be that kind of candle that illuminates.
*** The author is the 2024 Chair of FINEX Ethics Committee, Managing Partner of Inventor, Miranda & Associates, CPAs, Member – Board of Directors Member of KPS Outsourcing Inc. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of these institutions. Photo from Pinterest.