I’ve been asking myself a question that stings a little: Why does India, a country full of intelligent, creative people, still struggle so much with basic civic sense while Japan seems to have mastered it?
And the more I’ve thought about it, the more I’ve realised this isn’t about some “magic gene” that Japanese people have and we don’t. It’s about systems, habits, and what we tolerate every single day. I’ve walked streets in Tokyo where there are no dustbins in sight yet not a single wrapper on the ground. Back home, I’ve seen a bin overflowing while people still toss waste next to it.
So here’s my take from observation, frustration, and a deep belief that India’s young people can flip this story.
Changing the Mindset: From “Not My Problem” to “Our Space”
In India, public property often feels like it belongs to “the government,” not to us. A broken footpath or a wall smeared with posters is just there, not our responsibility. I get it centuries of rulers, colonisers, and bureaucrats made us feel like these spaces aren’t ours to protect.
In Japan, I noticed something different: people treat the street outside their home like an extension of their living room. Dropping litter there would be like tossing garbage on their own carpet. That’s the mental shift we’re missing.
If we, especially the youth, start claiming even tiny patches of public space a bus stop, a stretch of pavement, the lane outside our building it changes everything. The day we feel embarrassed to see “our” space dirty is the day behaviour starts to shift.
Building Civic Habits Early
You can’t fake habits; they’re built over years. In Japan, kids as young as six clean their own classrooms and toilets daily. It’s not a punishment, it’s just part of life. So by the time they’re adults, order and cleanliness are second nature.
In India, we often separate “academic education” from “life skills.” We outsource cleaning to staff, we treat rules as optional, and we let kids believe someone else will “handle it.” That’s a habit trap.
I honestly think schools here need to make civic chores part of the timetable not as punishment, but as pride. And yes, it will feel strange at first. But after a few months, it will just be normal.
Infrastructure Shouldn’t Punish Good Behaviour
Here’s a personal irritation: I try to follow rules, but our infrastructure sometimes makes it harder. I’ve walked 200 meters to find a dustbin, only to discover it’s broken or missing. I’ve tried crossing roads at zebra crossings that don’t exist anymore because the paint has faded.
Japan gets this right they design cities so that the easiest choice is also the right choice. Clean public toilets, bins exactly where you need them, clear signage it’s like the city is set up to help you do the right thing.
We can do this here too, but it needs pressure. Young people mapping “pain points” in their areas, reporting them relentlessly, and showing low-cost fixes can prove the point: good design leads to good behaviour.
Rules Without Enforcement Mean Nothing
I’ve seen rules in India that look great on paper: fines for spitting, penalties for littering, helmet laws. But we all know what happens they’re rarely enforced. That breeds cynicism.
In Japan, consequences are quick and predictable. Even a small fine, given without drama, is enough to stop most people from repeating the offence. Plus, there’s the added sting of social disapproval your neighbours will notice, and they will judge.
We need more of that here. And honestly, youth can push for it by demanding on-the-spot fines, publishing data on actual penalties collected, and spotlighting gaps between policy and action.
The Weight of Daily Survival
I can’t ignore this reality: when someone is juggling two jobs, three buses, and a two-hour commute, waiting for the perfect queue or searching for a dustbin isn’t their top priority. Civic sense thrives when daily life isn’t a constant struggle.
So if we want better public behaviour, we also need to improve the basics water, transport, housing. I’ve seen how even small improvements (like more frequent buses) reduce the chaos and frustration that often spill into “bad behaviour.”
Leaders Must Walk the Talk
Nothing kills civic motivation faster than watching leaders break the rules themselves. I’ve seen VIP convoys run red lights, throw plastic garlands after events, and block roads for hours. That’s not leadership that’s hypocrisy.
In Japan, I’ve seen public officials bow and apologise for a train being late by one minute. Imagine if that was the level of accountability here.
If we want the public to care, leaders need to care first visibly, consistently, and without photo-op pretence.
Turning Awareness Into Action
At the end of the day, this isn’t about lecturing anyone. It’s about systems, habits, and culture and those can change if enough of us push together.
So here’s my challenge to myself and maybe to you: Pick one civic habit you wish everyone followed. Segregating waste. Using crosswalks. Standing in queues. Then commit to practicing and promoting it for 30 days. Share your progress, talk about it, make it visible.
If Japan can keep its streets spotless with fewer dustbins than we have, why can’t we? And if our generation doesn’t change this - who will?