
Hey, you! You’re a busy person! You have status updates to write; tweets about your lunch to send; videos of cats dressed as humans to watch. You don’t have time to read things like some kind of ridiculous, well-educated duck.
So instead watch this video, which tells you everything there is to know about Japan – covering population, annual food wastage, social awkwardness and much more – in just 10 minutes and 59 seconds.
Go! Time is of the essence!
Although it’s currently garnering a lot of attention online, this video actually first surfaced back in 2011, so one or two of the facts it presents are now a little out of date (Japan no longer has the second-largest economy in the world, for example). Nevertheless, it paints a pretty accurate portrait of Japan and it’s refreshing to see a video that, rather than simply singing Japan’s praises, takes a little time to show the country’s darker side and focus on issues like mental health and how much food this wealthy, developed country throws away each year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au0Ue7qCy6k
Phew! That was a lot to take in. And does anyone else suddenly feel like getting a glass of water from the tap rather than buying a bottle from the combini? Certainly some real food for thought here, I’m sure we can all agree.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, the answer to the question the video poses about why Japanese-style toilets continue to exist is simple: despite many Westerners’ protestations, they’re in fact much better for your health and a far more natural way of doing number-twos. Sure, they’re scary at first, but give one a try. You’ll never have a better poop.
Oh, sorry, were you eating?
Is there anything in this video that you disagree with? Was there something that you think its makers missed? Let us know in the comments section below!
Source/screenshots: YouTube


Everything you need to know about dining at a sushi restaurant—in handy infographics!【Pics】
Everything you need to know about quarantining in Japan
Everything you need to know about takoyaki (octopus balls) 【Video】
Everything you wanted to know about the Ainu, with photos and video【Rocketpedia】
Big, drunk and furry—Everything you need to know about tanuki (plus a song about their balls!)
Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
Japanese vending machine serves up unique drinks at four Tokyo train stations
New KitKat pizzas are coming to Pizza Hut Japan
New Japanese “school swimsuits” for adult women are a stylish skirted take on one-piece swimwear
An overnight trip on the Sunrise Izumo, Japan’s awesome Tokyo-Shimane sleeper train【Photos】
Cast of this summer’s live-action Naruto stage play looks more awesome than ever in new photos
Edo-themed onsen and restaurant complex opens in Tokyo, but do overseas tourists know about it?
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Permanent Sailor Moon stage show theater announced for Tokyo
Japanese fish that beat Pokémon Sapphire are retiring from video game streaming【Video】
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Five things you need to know about Obon–one of Japan’s biggest holidays 【Videos & more】
Everything you need to know about climbing Japan’s second-highest volcano
All you need to know about Japan’s unasked-for restaurant appetizers that you have to pay for
Informative video condenses everything about Japan into sixteen minutes of pure gold【Video】
Five things you should know before coming to Japan【Video】
Ramen cookies? Video shows all you need to know to make these awesome desserts 【Video】
Sayonara, sushi: 21 little things that people miss after leaving Japan
New interactive video takes you through traditional and modern Japan in three minutes 【Video】
Chinese Communist Party tries to spit the straight skinny in its rap about China, Taiwan 【Video】
The wasabi you eat probably isn’t wasabi, according to new video from Japan
“You’re an otaku!” Defining Japan’s nerdiest word
U.K. Pavilion at Japan World Expo responds to complaints about shabby afternoon tea quality【Videos】
American comedian Jimy Kimmel was blown away by Japan’s bathrooms【Video】
Leave a Reply