The key is the balance

There are so much people can learn from Japan. A lot of examples of extremes make your realise you can choose to take your life in various directions.

You can be very conscientious, work really hard at the expense of your personal life and achieve so much that you can be really contented with your work life. Or you can go the opposite way and enjoy life while putting work way behind. Or you can try to balance work, life, family, friends and try to have it all and potentially have a bit of everything or lose them all.

Life is such a series of choice making. It is a pity I happen to be indecisive.

Is there ever something for nothing?

Japan's economic prosperity, spotless facade and their immaculate tidiness and cleanliness do come at a price. People have worked extremely hard to turn the country into what it is and to maintain it that way. The price to pay is the long hours and the stress from striving to become perfect.

We take it for granted that there is something for nothing, that the state is responsible for planning, regulating and cleaning when in fact people have so much self discipline that they self regulate and do their own bits to contribute without state intervention. It could be something to be admired or aspired to but would other people be willing to pay the same price as the Japanese? Would we want to work the long hours? Would we mind being on a go constantly? Could we manage the expectation for such high standards?

On the Japanese poor

Japan is a rich nation. However, they do not seem to be obliged to look after the poor. I wonder if this is out of economic necessity or principle. Is it every man for himself?

Poor Japanese certainly cannot rely on state benefit, regardless of how old, incapacitated or vulnerable they are. People do not expect something for nothing which is fair enough but should this mentality prevail if there is enough to share with others less fortunate?