Japanese Concerned Over Decline of Good Manners Among Fellowmen

The Japanese may be famous for their politeness, but an overwhelming majority now believe bad manners are on the rise, a poll showed Friday.

Crowded trains are a particular source of grief, with most Japanese unnerved that no-nos such as chatting on mobile telephones are becoming more commonplace among commuters.

More than nine in ten of the 3,000 respondents said their fellow countrymen's manners in public had worsened over time, the survey by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper said.

Only 28 percent believed Japanese people had good manners overall.

Among the biggest pet peeves, 72 percent were upset that some people failed to separate their rubbish.

Other practices that caused frustration included eating on trains and buses, putting on make-up in public and smoking in the street.

The survey also found only 29 percent of Japanese generally trusted corporations.

The respondents were particularly alarmed by food companies following a series of scandals over mislabelling and a scare about imported Chinese dumplings that contained pesticide.

Source-AFP
SRM/L