The Japanese are known to be some of the most creative people in the world and are famed for coming up with some truly ingenious inventions every now and then. History is replete with examples of the awesome things that were invented by the Japanese – from the bullet train to the cycle.
The country also comes up with innovative ideas to help make the lives of their citizens better. Here, we have presented some truly imaginative Japanese inventions that should be in every country of the world. From silent karaoke microphones to car stickers for the hearing impaired, these innovations show why Japan is always a step ahead of the world!
1. Silent Karaoke Microphone. When a user sings into this microphone, the sound goes straight into their ears via earphones thus ensuring that anyone around isn't disturbed.
2. Car stickers for the disabled in Japan show a 4-leaf clover instead of a person in a wheelchair like everywhere else. Their reason is that they don't want to promote the idea that all disabled people use a wheelchair. The symbol of a 4-leaf clover is used since it gives the idea of lucky and unique rather than lacking abilities.
3. Drivers in Japan who are 70 years old or older are requested to use the elderly car mark (or Kōreisha mark). This way, the other drivers on the streets can be aware and more compassionate to the elderly driver. This mark also gives the driver the right to park in a reserved parking space.
4. This is a pregnancy badge with, “There is a baby in my stomach,” written on it. Pregnant Japanese women can display it while traveling in trains so that the other travelers can offer them a seat if the place is too crowded.
5. Some Japanese toilets come heated with a sink which is great for winters.
6. The Japanese use braille on everyday items like cans (to separate alcohol and other beverages), on toilet buttons, on maps, on seat numbers on the bullet train, on coin machines, and even on glue bottles!
7. In Japan, several sidewalks have yellow tactile lines that can be easily be spotted by people with bad vision. The dots signify danger in front while the long bars help give direction to the blind.
8. Many places in Japan offer umbrella lockers to ensure that your umbrella isn't stolen or lost.
9. In Japan, people use small trays to pay with cash. The idea is that it will make sure that the customer's coins don't drop and they can also see if they have been given the right change.
10. While public payphones have become almost nonexistent these days, Japan still retains its payphones in case of natural disasters. These public payphones are often placed lower than eye level to make it easier for people in wheelchairs to use them.
11. This symbol is used in Japan to recognize hearing-impaired drivers. Other drivers are expected to be considerate when dealing with drivers with this mark on their vehicles.
12. Children in Japan often travel on their own and have to cross the road without adult supervision. To help them with this, Japan has yellow flags available on the sidewalks of busy roads. Children can use these to alert motorists that they are crossing the road and then return them to a bin on the other side.
13. Packaged food in Japan often comes with easy steps on how to open the packaging. They are easy to understand and written in a way that customers won't have to put in much effort to open them.
Share these cool innovations with your friends and family!
