Sunderdeep Singh, the CEO of Volklub, recently shared his experiences during a visit to Tokyo, drawing significant attention for his observations on Japan’s exceptional discipline, orderliness, and urban efficiency. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Singh detailed what impressed him most about the city’s functioning.
Singh noted that even during peak hours, Tokyo’s roads remained free of congestion, with traffic flowing smoothly and efficiently. He observed that vehicles were exceptionally well-maintained, with cars over 20 years old appearing almost brand new. He mentioned that the local guide attributed this to a societal discouragement of frequent new car purchases, encouraging residents to take better care of their existing vehicles.
“Cars over 20 years old are scratchless and look brand new,” Singh wrote. He also pointed out the strategic placement of multi-storey parking facilities near marketplaces, which helped keep the roads clear of parked vehicles.
However, it was the city’s immaculate appearance that truly captivated him. Singh highlighted the absence of political posters, commercial advertisements, or random signboards on lamp posts and pavements. “Every street has LED lights, all working. No street food carts, vegetable vendors, auto-rickshaws, or e-rickshaws,” he added.
Singh further praised the city’s landscaping as “top grade,” contributing to a well-maintained and aesthetically pleasing environment throughout Tokyo.
The post generated a wide range of reactions from social media users. While many lauded Singh’s observations and agreed that Japan’s civic sense is a valuable lesson, others commented on the challenges of achieving similar uniformity in India due to its diverse social and cultural fabric. Some users pointed out that Tokyo, despite being the world’s most populous city, maintains such high standards, contrasting it with the infrastructure challenges in Indian cities often blamed on population size.