Q.Why do Japanese people tend to be sensitive to noise from children？
Q1. Why do Japanese people tend to be sensitive to noise from children？
A1. First of all, to research the issue of children's noise, we collected a variety of materials, but we found that the number of English-language materials was extremely small compared to the number of Japanese-language materials. Therefore, I felt that possibly there is more concern about the noise problem of children in Japan than in other countries. I would like to now express my personal opinion on this question, based on the current situation and cultural background of Japan.
【Factor1: High population density】Japan is a densely populated country with limited living space,
especially in urban areas. As a result, many people live in close proximity to
one another, often in apartment buildings or tightly packed neighborhoods. In
such environments, noise can easily travel between living spaces, making it
difficult to escape or ignore disturbances. Consequently, Japanese people may
be more sensitive to noise, including that generated by children, as it
directly affects their daily lives and overall sense of tranquility.
【Factor2: Culture of cooperation】Japanese society places a strong emphasis on group harmony and
consideration for others. This value is deeply ingrained in the culture and
extends to various aspects of life, including public behavior. Being
considerate and respectful towards others is highly valued, and excessive
noise, especially in public spaces, is seen as disruptive and inconsiderate. As
children can sometimes be louder and less aware of their surroundings, their
noise may be perceived as a violation of this cultural value.
【Factor3: Schools’ educational policy】Japanese schools often instruct to have discipline and self-control
from young ages. Children are taught to be mindful of their behavior and to
consider the impact of their actions on others. While no child is perfectly
behaved at all times, this emphasis on self-control may lead to a cultural
expectation that children should be relatively quiet and well-behaved in public
spaces. As a result, when children behave in a way that violates this
expectation, it is viewed as insane behavior and may result in noise
complaints.
There
may be several other factors besides these, but I personally felt that these
three were the causes specific to Japan.
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Q2.Is there any way to soften the sound that a child makes？
A2. If you are a parent yourself and want to avoid as much trouble as possible with your surroundings, there are several methods and techniques to soften the sounds and voices that children make in a room or building. Here, I will suggest you three effective approaches:
【1: Soundproofing】Soundproofing
your own room or building is an effective way to reduce noise transmission.
Adding sound insulation and other materials to walls, floors, and ceilings can
help minimize sound waves and vibrations. In addition, installing soundproof
panels can also reduce noise, as they are
effective in reducing the amount of sound in a space.
【2: Furniture and Layout】 Furniture placement and selection also play a role in dampening
sound. Placing soft materials such as carpets, rugs, and curtains in a room can
absorb sound waves and reduce echoes. It is also a good idea to pay attention
to those materials and choose the ones that absorb sound particularly well.
【3: Daytime Outing】Although
this is not a practical method for parents with a newborn child, there are ways
to make your child tired by going out during the day. If children use their
energy by playing where they are allowed to be very loud, they are likely to
sleep peacefully at night. It may also be a good idea to have a discussion with
your child to set rules about the volume of sounds to be made in the house when
he or she is old enough to be considerate.
A combination of these methods and techniques may help to soften the
sounds of children and create a more peaceful and quiet environment. It is
important to find a balance between allowing children to grow up naturally and
energetically and keeping the overall noise level within acceptable limits for
the comfort and health of everyone in the room as well as the building. I
apologize that some of you may feel critical of this approach, as I have not
raised children myself. If you can suggest a more effective method, I'd be
happy to have your comments on this blog!
Published by Galina
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References and sources:
・https://www.stat.go.jp/data/topics/topi1191.html 総務省統計局
「人口」Statistics Bureau of Ministry of
Internal Affairs and Communications “Population”, accessed
in June17
・https://www.stat.go.jp/library/faq/faq02/faq02a14.html 総務省統計局 「人口密度」Statistics Bureau of Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
“Population density”, accessed in June17
First of all, I like how you structured your blog post. It looks nice and the content is simple to understand. For the first question, I thought you could add more information about politeness and etiquette in Japanese culture. For the second question, my suggestion for softening a child's noise is to provide positive reinforcement and choose quiet toys or activities. However, I found it very informative how you approached the topic from all angles and devised various solutions. I look forward to reading your next post!
ReplyDeleteI like how you organized the points, it was really easy to comprehend. High population density is very persuading to me. I felt that the culture of corporation became stronger because ot the population density?I have never lived outside of the city so this is just an assumption. I think this shows that your blog has organized information for people to make discussions on it.
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