Key Chain

Last week, my mother brought a Japanese key chain from the local Japanese grocery store. Google translator says that 交通安全 means Traffic Safety. Is that what it really means, I'm so confused as to the really meaning to the key chain. What does it really mean and its purpose? I mean why would they write something so unflattering as Traffic Safety?

Yes, it means "traffic safety". You can think of it as a reminder to drive safely, or as a charm to assure a safe trip....our version of a plastic Jesus on the dashboard. This sort of thing and this slogan is very common in Japan.

Here's one from a local Buddhist temple. I keep it in my truck:





And a laminated wallet version from a temple in Yamagata:





You can't go anywhere in Japan without seeing 交通事故 or 安全運転 or 安全第一 plastered all over the place.

Unfortunately, there is a cultural tendency to think that merely having a slogan is protection enough; one needn't necessarily do anything to implement it.

It seems Japan has these charms for pretty much anything, ranging from long-lasting marriage and safe childbirth to IT information safety:



Take a look at this this article for a long and in-depth description if the topic interests you.

Mine... Never changed it from last year, though.