Whatever it is that Japanese are up to, they are in it together. This can be a good thing, but it can also be destructive as well. Once the Japanese have decided to take a certain course, even a destructive on, they seem to go on autopilot and nothing can stop them. No dissenting opinion or voice of reason will be entertained.    If you want to read an interesting take on this characteristic, I would highly recommend Alex Kerr's book Demons and Dogs:     http://www.amazon.com/Dogs-Demons-Ta...6375436&amp;sr=8-1    [QUOTE=samuraiNinja;5664931]This sense of shared purpose appears in a thousand pleasant ways. One is the virtual absence of crime. Anyone can walk anywhere in Japan at any time. If a shopkeeper has excess inventory, he puts it out on the sidewalk. No store in the whole country bothers with elaborate security systems that sound an alarm if someone makes off with the goods.[QUOTE]    Agreed that Japan is a safer place to walk around than most other countries. I would disagree that anyone can walk anywhere at any time, and many Japanese would concur.    Excess inventory on the curb? Most shops are so cramped you wouldn't be able to walk the aisles unless they did that. I actually see it as being an anti-social behavior as it encroaches on the sidewalk and forces people to walk in the street. The shop doesn't own that sidewalk, but the have no qualms about abrogating it in order to do business.    No elaborate alarm systems? Hogwash! Most stores lock up small, expensive items just as they do in other countries. They also use RFID and alarms to catch shoplifters going out the door. Cameras are also used to monitor shoppers as well.    The author of this article must be a member of the Chrysanthemum club or something.