Young student walking home in Shimokitazawa

You might’ve heard of it, and if you visited Japan you probably witnessed it firsthand: The sight of unaccompanied kids navigating their way through the bustling heart of Tokyo is a common occurrence. It’s a phenomenon that might come as a surprise to some and appear perfectly ordinary to others.

Before you make up your mind about how concerning or admirable it is to let your kid wander by itself at the age of 5, we’ll take a look at how Japanese kiddos have gained this level of independence. Therefore it’s important to grasp the cultural and societal environment in which this is taking place.

Japan as a collective

My favorite way of describing Japan’s society as an outsider is: “A society that seems to know exactly what it should be doing not to offend anyone at any moment”. And that’s what collectivism is all about. A place where individuals prioritize the needs and expectations of the group, and strive to blend in seamlessly with those around them, while minimizing any form of individualistic expression that may draw undue attention. You might encounter these characteristics in the shape of:

High level of selflessness in daily life
Indirect communication to avoid conflict (or embarrassment)
Providing overly polite service to others (even when helping out a stranger)

This results in there being permanent social control wherever you set foot in Japan, but certainly in its prominent cities. Ever wondered how Shinjuku station, as the world's busiest station, maintains a sense of order amid the bustling crowds? By thinking as a collective, following unspoken rules, and prioritizing the well-being of the group.

kids navigating in tokyo — kids playing games while waiting for their train│© Coward Lion

This ongoing social control positions Japanese society as being extremely capable of looking after each other, putting the individual mindset on the background. Of course this creates heaps of drawbacks that impact individuals on a personal level, but let’s save that for another editorial.

Differences in upbringing

Besides thinking as a collective unit, the upbringing in Japan stands in stark contrast with that of Western society. For starters, Japanese moms reportedly spend an average of just two hours per week away from their kids during the first two years of their life, compared to a day per week in their Western counterparts. In Europe we rely more on babysitters, while this is not the common practice in Japan. However, this mindset is slowly shifting as more moms are taking up the role of working mom.

Another notable contrast is the fact that 88% of Japanese children aged three and under share their parents' room, with many even sharing the same bed. This principle is known as “Kawa no Ji”, referring to the kanji for river, “川,” featuring three vertical lines with the short line representing the kid being nestled between its parents. The use of tatami with futons, in combination with limited living space in the larger cities, makes it an evident practice for kids and parents sleeping in the same room, even as children enter elementary school.

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Young solo adventurers

And off they go, the little adventurers. Their solo journey to school often resembles the first steps towards independence. As a commute in Tokyo might easily take over 30 minutes and several transfers, the young ones learn to navigate in a bustling urban environment from a young age. Catching the wrong train or getting lost? Time to hone those problem solving skills. In Japan that often means relying on your surroundings, which are safe as people collectively keep an eye on the little wanderers. The really young ones wear yellow hats, both for safety at crosswalks, and to let adults know they might need a little extra help.

All the while in the West parents get nervous when their child has to cross the road by themselves, and rightfully so. There are a variety of factors in Europe that complicate unaccompanied travel for young children, making it far from a straightforward undertaking. Think traffic safety, crime rates, abduction, and if we would throw the U.S. in the equation, gun laws. Western societies have significant ground to cover in terms of creating a suitable environment for independent school commutes at a young age.

It doesn’t end at school trips in Japan. Parents actively encourage their young children to take on responsibilities like grocery shopping. The popular Japanese reality TV show “Hajimete no otsukai”, which made its introduction in the West under the title “Old Enough!” follows the adventures of Japanese toddlers as they make their way to the local supermarket to complete mommy’s grocery list, often relying on the help of anyone they encounter. Despite the undeniable charm of these untroubled kids, the program serves as a powerful testament to the level of independence that is integral to Japanese culture.

Japan has succeeded in establishing an environment in which parents can confidently send off their little kids to navigate public spaces alongside adult commuters, who are keeping a watchful eye on the youngest generation. As Timm Chiusano beautifully stated: “Japan has decided that as a society it is their collective responsibility to keep their children safe.”