Indian KOL Simran Balar Jain walks without shoes to assess Japan’s cleanliness, surprised to discover that her white socks stay pristine. - Photo: SCMP composite/IG@simranbalarjain
TOKYO: An Indian influencer tested Japan’s renowned cleanliness by walking shoeless on its streets and was astonished to find her white socks remained spotless, igniting widespread discussions online.
Simran Balar Jain, a popular key opinion leader (KOL) with 1.4 million followers on Instagram, captivates her audience by sharing her travel experiences and beauty insights.
The video documenting her hygiene test quickly went viral on social media, amassing over 26 million views on Instagram.
In October, Jain posted a video filmed in Tokyo, proclaiming Japan to be “the cleanest country in the world”.
She bought a pair of white socks from a convenience store, removed her shoes, and walked along streets and crowded pavements.
At the conclusion of the video, Jain showcased her immaculate white socks, expressing her amazement at the cleanliness of the streets with the caption, “This is crazy!”
She described the experience as “exploring Japan, one step at a time - literally.”
One online viewer remarked: “This is unbelievable. In my city, my shoes always pick up cigarette butts, chewing gum, and bits of paper.”
Jain has not revealed the exact distance or duration of her walk during the test.
Another netizen speculated that she walked only for a few minutes in the filmed area, inciting criticism of her claims as exaggerated.
Conversely, a third person supported Jain’s observations, stating: “I was amazed when I first visited the country. Everywhere was spotless despite the scarcity of trash bins. People would voluntarily clean up and take their trash with them after music festivals.”
As of now, Jain has not addressed the online criticism.
She also explored Japan’s technological innovations, trying robot-made smoothies and orange juice, and expressed her hope to see such advancements in India soon.
Last year, Tokyo was ranked among the top 10 cleanest cities in the world by the global consultancy Mercer Eco-City.
Japan is celebrated for its pristine streets, efficient waste management systems, and minimal pollution.
Cleanliness and hygiene are deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, viewed as reflections of order and discipline. Littering is considered disrespectful to others and to society.
Tokyo, home to nearly 14 million residents, has very few public rubbish bins, as most people take their trash home with them.
Littering is illegal in Japan, with violators facing penalties of up to five years in prison and fines reaching 10 million yen (US$66,000).
Japanese schools also emphasise hygiene education.
From a young age, children learn the importance of personal hygiene by cleaning their own classrooms rather than relying on cleaners. This practice fosters a sense of responsibility and teamwork.
Furthermore, maintaining cleanliness is central to purification and meditation rituals in Japanese religions. - South China Morning Post
