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BYU Asian Studies Student Journal

Keywords

public transportation, cultural values, social control

Abstract

Japan’s public transportation system is famous for its speed and efficiency. But it is more than just a way to travel. Trains and buses shape daily life and behavior in Japan. They reflect pertinent historical and cultural values, which provide a significant connection to society. Similar to sewing a new piece of fabric onto an old kimono, modern technology has become a part of the cultural garment–not a replacement for it–all while the existing fabric has continued to give it meaning and structure. The Japanese have woven older cultural threads into the new systems; concurrently and reflexively, the new technology has begun to shape new habits that, in turn, reinforced those same traditional values.

We begin by addressing the origins of Japan’s transportation system. During the Tokugawa-era (and before), people used ships, horses, and pure human power to move around. The Tokugawa shogunate was deeply concerned with maintaining social order; therefore, transportation during this time was not only practical, it was political. Movement around Japan was structured, rule-bound, and purposeful with the goal of greater stability. The Tokugawa government built and maintained an extensive network of official roads that allowed those authorized to travel between domains. In fact, common people faced significant travel restrictions that required them to obtain permission to leave as well as pass through strictly controlled checkpoints.

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