Jimmy Kimmel: Americans are hogs compared to the Japanese

In a recent "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" episode, Jimmy Kimmel remarked that his trip to Japan significantly altered his view on American cleanliness. He confessed that before his visit, he considered the US quite orderly, though not without faults. However, his experience in Japan led him to see the US in a less favourable light, describing it as unclean and unpleasant. He was especially impressed by the exceptional standard of cleanliness in Japanese restrooms.

Jimmy Kimmel continued to express his astonishment at Japan's cleanliness on his show, comparing the entire country to Disneyland and contrasting it with the US, which he likened to Six Flags. He mentioned feeling particularly unclean since returning home. Kimmel was also struck by the tidiness in Tokyo, where residents maintain cleanliness even without public trash bins, a change implemented after the sarin gas attacks in 1995. He praised the Japanese for their discipline in this regard and humorously imagined what they must think of Americans, calling them "garbage people" in jest.

Public bathrooms have become the source of tourist fascination in Japan, where toilets can come with automatic bidets, heated seats, sensors that take your pulse, and sound systems to mask the noise of flushing. In 2019, a Japanese toll operator installed public toilets on the Central Nippon Expressway that could measure driver fatigue. Japan is typically known internationally for fostering a focus on cleanliness and hygiene. During the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Japanese national team made headlines for cleaning their dressing room after beating Germany 2-1 in an upset. At the same tournament, FIFA praised Japanese fans for tidying up the local stadium after watching their matches.

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Jimmy spitting facts.
I love how Japanese people in general treat public spaces with respect. A bus stop is used as a bus stop. A public toilet is a toilet. They are places that you don't mind taking your kids or your grandparents to.

I felt the same way as Jimmy; America's a bit rough around the edges, but it runs well. I mean, that was my general view of things a few years ago. However, as I get older some intrusive thoughts start to creep in: America's not just "rough around the edges"... America's got serious dysfunction. I think education is the key, but Americans will absolutely reject an education system that is as rigid as Japan's (well, as Japan's used to be). There was a story yesterday circulating on the net about how Covid had caused some Americans to see education as "optional". Its a bit daunting. (I know Japan's education system isn't ideal either...but I'm worried about the dumbing down of America.

The biggest surprise here is that Jimmy Kimmel never visited Japan until recently??