What Japan can teach us about cleanliness
One of the first things visitors to Japan notice is how clean everywhere is – yet there are hardly any litter bins and street sweepers. What's the secret behind this contradiction? By Steve John Powell & Angeles Marin Cabello 7 October 2019 (This year, we published many inspiring and amazing stories that made us fall in love with the world – and this is one our favourites. Click here for the full list). The students sit with their satchels on their desks, eager to get home after another long day of seven 50-minute classes. They listen patiently as their teacher makes a few announcements about tomorrow’s timetable. Then, as every day, the teacher’s final words: “OK everybody, today’s cleaning roster. Lines one and two will clean the classroom. Lines three and four, the corridor and stairs. And line five will clean the toilets.” A few groans arise from line five, but the children stand up, grab the mops, cloths and buckets from the broom cupboa...