Tokyo is known for being technologically advanced, but I’m not just referring to anime, the gaming industry, or smart toilets. When living in Tokyo, you will notice that “technology” not only refers to heavy machines or digital electronics, but methods of handling environmental crisis, social issues, and population wellbeing.
First, let’s think about Japan’s geographical location and demographics. Japan's geographic position on the Earth’s tectonic plates is located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a chain of volcanoes formed by colliding tectonic plates and the site of many earthquakes. In addition, Japan’s location in the Pacific Ocean makes it vulnerable to typhoons (intense tropical storms) that wreak havoc on cities and homes, sometimes injuring or killing people when they make landfall. Next, when we think about the high population density in Tokyo, more people produce more waste. An increasing population in Tokyo requires careful attention to waste management. And finally, Japan’s harsh corporate working culture, expensive cost of living, and labor shortages makes it difficult for young adults to consider having families, thus increasing the elderly population and decreasing the population of Japanese children being born.
During my time in Tokyo, I have learned about and experienced how various solutions are being implemented to address these issues in Japan.
