Japan's continued love for paper

15 Mar 2020

Japan’s continued love for paper

Japan’s continued love for paperJapan is known for its high-tech living. However, it has a surprising and enduring obsession with something quite old-fashioned - paper. Quite a paradox (opposite).

Nestled amid the soaring skyscrapers of Tokyo’s central business district, is a little shop and museum dedicated to washi paper.
 	'Washi' refers to paper made using traditional Japanese methods that is stronger and more durable than the regular paper. It is an art form that is more than 1,300 years old.
 	Traditionally, it was not only used for writing and painting but also lanterns, umbrellas, clothing and the iconic shoji sliding doors and walls.
 	Paper became very important in the Japanese way of life as for a long time the people had limited access to other materials and technology.

Things changed about 200 years ago and the flow of technology and ideas soared. But curiously, the country’s love affair with paper persists.

People in Japan still prefer to use cash while shopping instead of cards or digital payments; paper packaging is beautiful and elaborate; fax is still widely used; exchanging business cards is a mandatory professional ritual; and paperwork is a big part of business and government.
 	All this has led to the Japanese society lagging behind because of tons of paperwork.
 	The government is now trying to change that, encouraging cashless payments and attempting to replace paper-based transactions with online ones.
 	While young people are increasingly switching to a paperless existence, older people are still more comfortable using paper.

So, in spite of all the technological advancements, Japan's relationship with paper is far from over!

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Japan is known for its high-tech living. However, it has a surprising and enduring obsession with something quite old-fashioned – paper. Quite a paradox (opposite). […]

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