Team Pow! YOJO

First Blog of the Trip:

We've been having so much fun! Our hosts are very gracious and welcoming; while we have been here, we have noticed some things that we wanted to point out about the culture:

• You have a choice between a Japanese squatter and an American toilet; it is about 50/50 as far as what the Japanese prefer. 
• Japanese women that wear face masks are doing so because they may not be wearing make-up.
• There are women-only cars on the train so that women can feel safe. 
• Women cover their mouth when they laugh because they are shy. 
• There are no paper towels in the restrooms. Instead people carry around a personal hand towel.
• It is not polite to eat in public.For instance, while you are walking. 
• It is also not polite to talk on the phone in the train. This is because people are more concerned about how their actions will affect others and they try not to disturb other people.
• People do not tip for services.
• "Itadakimasu" is said before eating a meal, and "gochisousama" is said after eating a meal. This is like saying "thank you for this food." 
• It is not custom to serve your own drink. People will serve each other drinks. 
• The inferior person bows lower than their superior.
• There are not many public trashcans, however the cities are very clean!
• You can drink the tap water, whereas in other countries it is usually not recommended for foreigners to drink the tap water. 

In regards to pharmacy in Japan, we learned that one community pharmacist can only fill 40 prescriptions a day per government regulation. Pharmacists in Japan make about $60,000 a year, which is slightly above the average salary. In addition, the government regulates the price of drugs from the manufacturer. Residency programs are relatively new in Japan, but they range from 1-2 years. Pharmacy school is a 6 year program that starts after high school.

There is so much about Japan! We have been fortunate to visit many places and experience the culture. More to come!

- Kim, Rick, and Ashley