Why Japan just "works" from the Guardian

[bikkuri bahn]

An interesting commentary which, though it typically goes overboard in praising Japan (the  "rose tinted glasses" syndrome often exhibited by short-term foreign visitors), rings true when talking about vending machines, and railway service.  The reporter's comments about conditions back home could also be applied to the USA.

 

an excerpt (talking about the London tube):

 

"In the underground, I shoved coins into the ticket vending machine. Of course it was broken. The District, Circle and Jubilee lines were all out of action (thank you, public/private partnership). At Victoria, I boarded a depressingly dirty train (thank you, train-leasing financiers)."

 

Source:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/blog/2010/mar/20/heed-japans-lead-economy

[westfalen]

That article has really made me look forward to my two weeks in the UK in May.

 

At least I have an Oyster Card.