During the time the highway toll system in Japan failed almost two days, authorities anticipated an outburst of anarchy and disorientation. In their place, they had seen an act of collective honesty such as never before 24,000 plus motorists had voluntarily paid their dues once the system was rectified.
The Unintended Consequence of a Technical Malfunction.
The disruption had hit toll booths in several regions such that commuters had to pay manually using electronic mechanisms. However, instead of throwing their hands up at the missed payments, drivers would go back to the toll websites a few days later and pay the money that they owed.
This was not a law, but a matter of conscience.
The reason this story was a global hit.
International media swiftly took the word and they termed it as a contemporary miracle of morality. Users of social media in different countries responded admirably terming Japan as the living demonstration of civil maturity.
In the times when technology tends to reveal deception, the people of Japan turned the tide around, demonstrating that honesty is possible even in the situations when the mechanisms are broken.
Cultural Values behind the Behavior.
The Japanese sense of responsibility as a community is legendary. The doctrine of kokumin no chishiki (citizen awareness) underlines the fact that it is the responsibility of people to ensure that there is harmony in the society.
The same principle causes individuals to send back wallets that they have lost, queue orderly in case of calamities, and now they voluntarily pay their tolls.
What Sanhedrin and Citizens Said.
The representatives of the NEXCO admitted that there were no enforcement measures, and the voluntary payments were much bigger than anticipated. Most of the authorities commented that they were moved to the brim by the sheer sincerity.
One of the drivers remarked on the social media, I did not want the system to fail and I become dishonest. I used the road, so I paid.”
A Closer Look: Infrastructure of Integrity.
This episode demonstrates some deep-seated truth the trust that exists in society may be more powerful than technology. Systems may malfunction, but morality does not.
The infrastructure of Japan can be of global standards, but it is the moral infrastructure of the country, such as honesty, respect, and collective integrity, which actually makes the country run.
The Lesson to the Rest of the World.
Suppose all societies were as responsible as Japan is. By making personal morally sound decisions, people will have a cleaner, more productive and less hostile society.
Conclusion: A Small Act, a Big Message.
Twenty four thousand little things of sincerity were a giant step to the world: integrity does not disappear.
There was no waiting until the drivers in Japan were reminded or enforced to act. It is that silent force, the one which never wishes to be praised, which makes Japan really great.