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Omoiyari is said to be a key concept of the Japanese mentality. (Its primary meaning is the
ability to imagine other people's feelings. Japanese people's good manners have often (2) been
associated with it and reported in news articles. For example, Japanese soccer supporters cleaned up
the stadium after the matches at the World Cup, actions that were praised by the foreign media.
Some experts say the supporters' behavior is related to education in Japan, where children clean their
classrooms every day. Another example was seen during the frequent natural disasters. Even in such
situations, many people still kept calm and patiently waited in lines for emergency supplies.
JANET
[ 3-1 ] According to a survey by an organization to promote good manners in Tokyo, less than
30 percent of Tokyo residents think people in Tokyo have good manners. [ 3-□ ] For example, Tokyo
residents notice bad manners on the train. (4)Some young people sit in priority seats and do not give
sit
(5).
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up their seats to the elderly, and others put on makeup. [ 3-> ] In an effort to get the passengers to
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act more (5), railway companies display posters, saying things such as, "Please line up and
c
wait your turn" or "Please switch your phone to silent mode while ( 6-a) the train."
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[ 3-= ] Omoiyari is often seen in school mottoes and emphasized in moral education at school.
Some of the values that students are ( 6-b) include respecting the elderly, helping those with
disabilities, and keeping promises. Students also take turns (6-c) in charge of cleaning the
classroom, serving lunch, taking care of plants and animals. In addition, volunteer clubs collect
money for charitable organizations and members visit elderly people in nursing homes. In moral
education class, students read stories and discuss the topics in them. The teacher facilitates the
discussion and the students draw their own conclusions.
(Nakaya, et al., Discuss the Changing World, Seibido)
