The clean, crisp air in Sapporo brings home what Hong Kong lacks
Mike Rowse reflects on his home town during a winter holiday break
A recent winter holiday in northern Japan has provided much material for reflection. Inevitably, you find yourself comparing Sapporo and its environs with Hong Kong as visitor destinations.
I am always impressed on arrival in the country by how clean and well organised everything is. There was virtually no litter to be seen in six full days. Somehow, this seems to have been achieved without the slightly antiseptic feel one gets in Singapore.
In Hong Kong, we have made great strides in this area over the past 40 years (and the Occupy students gave us hope for the future), but we still have some way to go if we are to reach a similar level of public spiritedness.
Japan's public transport system is comprehensive and reliable. If the timetable says 12.35, it's no use arriving at 12.33 and tapping your foot impatiently - you'll still have to wait. Similarly, it's no use arriving at 12.37 and hoping for a lucky break: you've missed it.
Our transport system is pretty good, too, so call it a draw.
I think we have the edge in infrastructure: a single, small slow-moving lift linking the arrival hall of the international airport with the railway station falls some way short of adequate. If Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to boost the economy by improving facilities, then could I suggest two or even three lifts, each larger and faster than the incumbent?
In terms of general courtesy, and making way for others, I have to admit Japan is rather better. Perhaps the lower population density (outside Tokyo, at least) and the slower pace of life contribute to a gentler all-round approach.