Man lists 22 things the US can learn from Japan and people are fully on board

We all dream of living in a perfect place, where 24/7 services and civil amenities are at our fingertips. Yet, when we move to new locations, adapting can be challenging, as each place has its unique issues. Addressing this, NYC resident, Brian Xu—who is popularly known as @bri_xu on TikTok—shared valuable insights by comparing the United States to Japan, highlighting what he believes America can learn from the land of dreams.

In a widely circulated video, Brian—who is originally from Japan—compares the cultural and civic differences between American and Japanese society. He begins by observing how, in Japan, people patiently wait their turn in crowded places, while Americans tend to rush. Brian also highlights the superior organization of airports in the East Asian country, pointing out systemic changes such as promoting disciplined behavior during suitcase collection and ensuring proper trash disposal.

Brian, who describes himself as a 'big-head Asian data nerd,' showcases Japan’s streets, where trash bags are covered with nets to prevent rats from tearing into them. This stands in contrast to NYC, where a significant rat problem persists due to a large rodent population. From there, Brian transitions to discussing the train network, highlighting further differences.

Brian claimed that Japanese trains are faster, more punctual, and feature distinct reversible seats, unlike their U.S. counterparts. He then pointed out the high cost of groceries in America, showing a picture of a table filled with essential items priced under $20 in Japan. Throughout the one-minute video, Brian repeatedly steps into the frame, emphasizing his message: "Please learn, New York City."

The video doesn’t stop there, as Brian also highlights several things unique to Japan, such as cheap alcohol, unvandalized vending machines and affordable restaurants with no tipping. He then turns to toilets, adding them to his long list of lessons. "Number 13, toilets that greet you. Number 14, toilets with instructions. Number 15, toilets that are public and clean," he says, urging the U.S. to take note.

The NYC resident’s "Please learn, America," video wraps up with a call for competing boy bands and girl groups, as well as quirky innovations like singing microwaves, temple festivals and an improved homicide rate in the U.S. The video, packed with lessons for Americans, has racked up 5.8 million views on social media, along with countless reactions. Among them, @we_live_in_a_society03 sarcastically said, “You must understand that the U.S. is capable of making those improvements but chooses instead to send that money to other countries.” “Where can I get a singing microwave?” @daddygiodi joked. “Not only does America need to learn this, but the whole world does as well,” @itsnotme69420666 noted.

You can follow Brian Xu (@bri_xu) on TikTok for more political and lifestyle content.