Respect for the Aged

Day 13 (18)
For a country that triple wraps everything, you would not expect there to be such a huge strict rubbish collection system. This is a collection point and all the pictures of what is collected when and how it should be packed. Plastic bottles, paper, glass, all are separate not just 'recyclable' as at home. There is a point for every few houses or block of flats.
The yellow is a net that goes over the combustible rubbish (in clear plastic bags. plastic is rated combustible) to keep out cats and birds. The rubbish is only to be put out the night before, sometimes only before collection in the am. I just wait until I see the crates are open and then I put out what I have, in the correct bin of course!!

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September 15 is a national holiday called Keiro no Hi, or Respect-for-the-Aged Day. When it was first named a day for elderly citizens in 1951 it was called Toshiyori no Hi, or old people's day. It was designated a national holiday in 1966, and its name was also changed. Keiro no Hi is a day when one shows respect to long-time contributors to society, celebrates their longevity, prays for their health, gains greater awareness and understanding of welfare issues confronting the elderly, and thinks about how welfare services can be improved. Because Respect-for-the-Aged Day is a relatively new holiday, there are no customs particularly associated with it. It used to be that people over 60 were considered 'aged', but with Japan's longevity it is now considered 70. There was a lot of fuss in the media just after I arrived because the government were starting a program for the "elderly" who need "our care and support" this was for anyone over 65. People were not amused!

It was a quiet day with lots of businesses closed and so some areas were very deserted an uncommon sight! I went to the Konpira shrine near Toronomon dedicated to the guardian deity of seafarers and fishermen. The shrine is believed to have been built in the 17th century, but it didn't look it! and must certainly have been damaged in WWII.

It is the juxtaposition of old and new that I find fascinating. Seeing the office building from the end of the street I was surprised to see that the Shrine was there, I thought I had the wrong street.