h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi there! First of all, I have to say that my English isn't perfect and I'm new here, on this site. I live in Hungary, a bit far from Japan... But I'm really interested in your country's traditions and the Japanese people and, being honest I respect your achievements. I'm 19, so I'd like to know how the young Japanese at this age live? Are there strict rules in the school/in the everyday life?

Hi Amenhotep, sorry it's been so long since you wrote to me!!
I'm glad you enjoyed my entry, and that you're so interested in Japan.

First of all, the young generation in Japan are really not that different from those in western countries. A few noticeable points, though, are that: the mobile is THE MOST IMPORTANT posession for us, and literally EVERYONE has one;and, not many kids leave home after finishing high school.

The mobile is essential for young people in Japan. It is becoming more dominant as a means of connection, taking over the post and home phones. You swap numbers and text messaging addresses with new people you meet, increasing the number of acquaintances you have in its memory. And in a way, it's like the more people in your memory, the more popular you are. But most of those numbers you rarely call. And even with your closest friends, so much is done over the phone and text that it takes you ages to realise that you don't even know where they live. And since all the information is stored inside the device and nowhere else, like on paper, it's really the end of the world if you lose it or damage its memory. You could easily lose touch with all your friends. It freaks me out sometimes.

While in western countries it seems like most college students live in dorms, few do that in Japan. Housing is pretty expensive here, so most kids choose to continue living at home during college, and even until they get married. Only those who have come from another part of the country live alone, or in dorms. I go to college from my parents' house too.

We don't have a strict religion to follow, and the typical traditions and rituals are kind of a mixture of Buddhism, Shintoism and Christianity; like, babies are taken to Shinto shrines for birth ceremonies, many couples get married in a church and funerals are usually done in Buddhist temples.
Traditions and rules may be stricter in rural areas, but in the cities, traditional practices are fading out fast. Most of the things I wrote about in my article on the new year's traditions are now becoming less common, and many people don't bother about cooking new year's dishes anymore. New year's greetings do still come by card, but even that is beginning to be taken over by the email. More shops, amusement parks, and so on are open during the holidays, so more people are at work rather than spending time at home over the festive season.

Anyway...there's just so much to say about the Japanese, but I have to get to bed now, I'm so tired today...
I'll write again if I remember any more things to add

Cherryfish