Japanese culture gives immense value to cleanliness, considering that it was an integral part of daily life and social harmony. This commitment extends beyond their homeland, as we see in Akie Doi’s actions, a 38-year-old music and yoga instructor in Kanazawa, Japan. During her visit to Puri, Odisha, she became a woman’s cleaning force, picking up garbage along the beach and encouraging others to do the same.
Two months after her stay, DOI took on her to clean the Puri beach every morning, urging visitors to use designated trash cans. Bearing a banner decorated with the image and cleanliness messages of Lord Jagannath, she drew the attention of tourists, hotel owners and local authorities.
“I just love to do it. Although the administration has hired cleaners who help keep the beach tidy, I do my part to maintain our environment. I urge beach enthusiasts to use the garbage cans provided, ”she said You.
His efforts have not gone unnoticed. Srimanta Kumar Dash, president of India Japan Friendship Center, provided her with gloves and garbage bags to help her work. “She has diligently collect plastic bottles, food packaging and other debris left by some visitors. Recently, several other Japanese tourists have joined her in this initiative,” he said.
Doi uses English and basic gestures to communicate the appropriate waste elimination methods, demonstrating how to effectively use trash cans. The administration of the Puri district has also recognized its efforts. “It is inspiring to see a foreign tourist so engaged in the Swachh Bharat mission and the cleanliness of Puri. We hope that the actions of Dois will motivate more visitors to prioritize cleanliness,” said district collector Siddharth Shankar Swain.
Its history, shared on Reddit, sparked an online debate. Some users admired the culture of social responsibility in Japan, while others wondered why the inhabitants were not as proactive.
“I think we all watched Kiteretsu, Doraemon and Shinchan grow. These children were always involved in social work, even at a young age, “wrote a user.
Another commented: “It is a passive way of showing us that we do not try our clean environment, without offending ourselves directly. Imagine if a guest was starting to clean your house – wouldn’t it be embarrassing?
Not everyone has accepted. A user shared a conversation with someone who rejected DOI’s actions: “I told him that it was insulting when foreigners clean our country, but he replied:”
While the debate continues online, Doi remains focused on its mission – a piece of waste at a time.
