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From: TheJapanChannelDcom
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  • I hope that all wires will be installed in the ground as foreign countries. because I think Japanese scenery looks messy.

  • Couldn't they at least put it all at the back of the building?

  • Where I live they put that electric thing on the left of the house

  • You know, I was actually wondering why I was always seeing so many wires. Thanks for this!

    I absolutely love Japanese architecture, whether it's new or old. It's just unique.

  • Most things aren't build to last because they demolish them after 20 or so years, to keep up with earth quakes building codes.

  • This is how it is in most places in the States. Certain communities have hidden buried cable, but most places have lines strung everywhere. My home has the main line coming into a pipe on the roof of the house, with the meter on the outside similar to this video. I live in Kansas, where we have bad storms such as tornados, so it's always a concern that a tree will fall on the line.

  • I find it odd that this would bother people after they've seen it often enough....nobody is complaining about 'power poles,street signs, wiring and cabling up and down every god-damn street and it will never change....visual pollution...bah! humbug!

  • It is also difficult for an electric wire to invade the private right of land.

    Although a sense of entitlement about the labor and honor which Japanese people originally need is low, only a sense of entitlement about land use or a construction design is very strong.

  • There is also an opinion "bury an electric wire on a driveway."

    However, a driveway is narrow, and since there is much traffic of a car, closing by construction has many impossible places.

    Although the sidewalk which buries an electric wire is required, there are many roads where a sidewalk does not exist.

    Moreover, since construction regulation hardly exists, in the house in Japan, the surface of a wall is not connected continuously and an electric wire cannot be installed under the eaves.

  • Moreover, generally a present-day Japanese does not have the concern about a scene.

    There is an ugly signboard in a town in large quantities.

    Although it is a sad fact, a present-day Japanese chooses not beauty but cost, and convenience.

    The present-day Japanese cannot understand that the quality of life is related to beauty.

  • Comment removed

  • I use a translation machine.

    It has made a mistake in the explanation for reasons of an earthquake.

    It is safer to bury underground.

    It is a problem of cost simply.

    The road in Japan is very narrow, and since the private right to land is very strong, it is difficult to bury an electric wire underground.

    It is difficult for a governmental agency to purchase land or to regulate the design of a building in Japan.

  • Interesting and would probably drive me nuts too!

  • easy access.

  • I actually quite like it

  • Very interesting indeed. I think it makes everything look a bit more 'futuristic' - and I know that's somewhat lame, but I quite like it. Not building things to last allows things to constantly be update; perhaps this is why Japan seems to always be one of the most technologically adanced country in the world. Having lived in Britain all my life, where everything is hundreds if not thousands of years old (having been designed with poor construction planning), it makes a welcome change.

  • Thank you for the video.

  • for maintenance reasons, exposed much much easier but it does look a bit less tidy. however, they seem to do it pretty tidy for exposed wiring. makes it a doddle to rewire too, and more efficient.

  • Omoshiroi.

  • actually i like it it ads details.

  • Hint:Earthquake

  • been here for ~4 months now and I can't say I think about it, sure all the cables in the air is a bit different, but nothing I really think about. Interesting video non the less!

  • Yeah, they run the pipes and wires like I do, but at least I mainly do electrical work with industrial buildings and I am dealing with high amp setups with 440V where big ass conduit is required and where running such wires inside walls and structures just isn't very practical or cost effective. That work was actually more than a bit neater than what I do, but then I am working with heavier duty applications where quick access is primary over looks.

  • Really does make for an ugly neighborhood.

  • You have a voice like Morgan Freeman... you could make anything sound interesting!

  • I always thought it might be due to Japan being earthquake prone. The overhead power lines are what drives me nuts.

  • It really ruins a nice building I think ... and you can have tubes put into your wall with easy access for cabeling, so that shouldn't be a problem. THX4 the video! (^_^)

  • It is a maintenance-related problem when I say with a word. According to many people indication, the undergrounding cables and pipes, the restoration at the time of the disaster takes much time.

    In the big city of Japan, electric wires are often buried. However, transformers need space than poles.

  • I prefer all the wiring to be hidden underground, or in the walls. That would drive me nuts too! The sight of a rat's nest of cables on poles really spoils the aesthetic appeal in some countries.

  • i dont think i would mind seeing cables outside a house,japan is such a beautiful and well organized country that this thing would be my least problem..i believe japanese people are way ahead from other countries.i am from greece and even though i am proud for my ancestors and what they had succeed greece nowadays is a mess.i believe the goverment of japan cares for the people thats why they are way ahead.

  • i personaly dont mind them, i think being able to dsee all the pipeing and stuff gives it more character, wouldnt work here in the u.k because people would just steal or break them...

  • yeah, this was pretty interesting :) thanks for posting!

  • i got to ask this, how fast is the insternet out there ?

  • merry australia day silly old dude.

  • I noticed (just by looking at pictures/videos or Streetview) that there are visible cables everywhere in Japan, not only attached to the houses. It makes everything look not very nice. :(

    And I noticed that Japanese people are blind to them! O.o

    They often send me pictures of birds in the sky, or sunset, or anything... ALWAYS with cables in the way!! Even the pictures of Mount Fuji that I received had cables in them!! >.<;

  • is your farm house in kanagawa prefecture?

  • One thing I learned in life: People bitch if you try to install underground electrics, and people bitch (not you) if you try to install exterior electrics. Personally, I've seen horrendous wiring in Japan, and I've seen totally acceptible wiring in Japan. The totally acceptible kits look just like what you've shown on the new flat block. That said, I agree that in other countries, such as my own, that workmanship wouldn't pass muster.

  • I saw the gadoman!

  • would drive me crazy too, actually drives me crazy now.

  • Interesting stuff. It works for them, so that's all there is to it.

  • i sorta like it its utilitarian and simplistic

  • at least paint the pipes or provide pipes that match the decor with the house, in the states, some places do wiring outside and such but they also think about design and how to camouflage it into the building.

  • Gosh! I thought that was the back or one of the sides of the house, but I never thought it was actually the front, talk about ruining the aesthetics of the house!

  • SEThatered's top comment provides a great explanation of the reasons behind this. Part of my brain does find the appearance of things like this more than a little incongruous, but I agree with the point about safety and ease of maintenance. On the other hand, this sort of thing is just par for the course in modern Japan and after a while I've just gotten used to it being the norm. Kinda fits their practical nature.

  • I think it looks cooler with pipes everywhere. houses elsewhere are mostly bland.

  • I suspect it has something to do with the fact that there are so many old buildings in Japan, that 'add ons' have become part of the culture, and now is considered an acceptable (or even fashionable) style.

  • It doesnt really bother me too much. They do an excellent job of making the pipe match the exterior colors.

  • I chuckled and cringed when I saw the outside lights that illuminate the electrical housings. How to waste money. Brings back the negative connotation of my youth about something being "Made in Japan">

  • @TheJapanChannelDcom

    I am an architecture student, and i can explain you the reasons they make this.

    1. Such method is safer for humans and against fire (caused by electric spark).

    2. Concealed wiring/pipes is hard to access/swap in case of breakage.

    3. It is cheaper.

    4. Does not interfere with other systems/structures.

    5. Easy-to-modify or relocate all the elements.

    6, Easy-to-maintain as you can see the condition of the wiring/pipes.

    Hope you can forgive them their pragmatism over beauty.

  • @SEThatered I totally agree. My (U.S.) home was built in 1971 on a slab. any work done under the slab is impossible if not expensive.

  • they should at least try to cocer them in some ways... I totally agree with your point.

    ^ì^

  • Here in California everything is concealed due to safety. In other sates it's different, but California has a safety standard. The only ones the have it outside are usually businesses, but there are exceptions.

  • For houses in Japan, it's the inner beauty that matters.

  • looks like they design the building without thinking about all this stuff, all they need is an alcove, which can then be covered with a false wall.

  • i was thinking that they made it that way for some safety aka anti-earthquake issues

  • interesting enough :) seems similar enough to the USA... other then the fact these wires and tubes are located on the sides of houses instead of the front :) to make it appear pleasant :)

  • That's the same way it is installed here in the USA!

  • I'm kind of sitting between two worlds. I love the functionality of having all wiring easy access. However visual it is kind of a bother :(

    In this case, I'll take the lower cost and and just try to look beyond the wiring.

  • It also allows easier upgrading. I think its fine as well.

  • I found it to be very informative. I will be moving to Japan in a month and I would be very curious as to what is adorning the front of my building!

  • It doesn't really look all that bad because everything is precise and geometric. If it weren't and everything was sloppy, it would look terrible. I think it looks a little more modern.

  • that and all the damn overhead phone and

  • I found that HIGHLY interesting! ^_^

  • This drives me nuts too. I get that newer materials are durable and may be cheaper to replace if its exterior, but Japanese don't do it for that, the whole bldg only last 30 years. Interesting!

  • Underground wiring is MUCH better... Also it is far safer in a earthquake situation....grounded wires rarely cause trouble.... cars don't run into telephone poles if they don't exist.... it is simply a matter of government officials not willing to pay a bit extra for underground....there is no other reaon

  • If Japan loses it's super high quality that its most known for, you don't know how sad I'll be.

  • Interesting. I bet pipefitters in japan have a much easier time than in the states.

  • It is style vs function it must be one or none.

  • Very interesting. I think it adds character to the house....

  • Yep here in the states people woudl bitch to no end. I think its an eyesore.

  • Don't worry TJC, i think it. was interesting

  • The wires and pipes made nowadays are better than they were made in the past. These modern wires and pipes are more durable, and they can endure harsh weather. If they hide them during installation, it means extra work for replacement, because you have to locate the wires, find the damage part, decorate the wall you digged a hole in for replacement of the damaged wire.

  • They are starting to do that in the some parts of the US. It makes me nuts too. My house was built in the 70s & I have a pitched roof with an attic. When I had phone lines & stuff updated they wanted to run the lines inside the house. All it took to hide them was a few holes drilled & a walk through the attic. I nearly had to fight with them to do it that way. I know it's not a big deal but I don't want them stapled up where you can see them especially when it's not hard to hide them.

  • HHHEEEEYYYYY GGGGGGUUUUUUUYYYYYYYYYSSSSSS!!­!!!!!!!

  • I'm from the UK and i see some stuff like that out side UK houses as well.

  • I've heard they do it this way because of the earthquakes. If wires or pipes are damaged in a quake they are easy to spot and fix. Last thing you want is a ruptured gas pipe hidden under the floors or in a wall. Mix that with a sparking faulty wire... BANG!

  • it's like okazaki's job from clannad!

  • This is obviously an older neighborhood, so it makes sense that they have overhead lines there, but do newer areas have underground phone and power lines?

  • Germany is the other extreme, nothing to be seen nowhere. No gas or water pipe, phone or electricity cable, nothing. And it'll cost you! An arm and a leg almost don't pay for it.

    And God help you if anything breaks! THEN it'll cost you.

  • AHHH STOP STALKING ME STALKER!!!

    jk jk I love all my non invasive polite stalkers.

  • I want MOAR videos!! And yes, I'm that "at least one person" who found it interesting. :D Also, that would drive me nuts also, haha.

  • not too fussed about the messy look, but if a murderer wants to cut your power and kill you quick..i guess that's a plus, or a minus

  • @iansmelly Though unlike in the western world, you won't run into murderers much :) Like he's stated before: "Live there for 100 years and you'l never see a robery take place" That's one of the things that make me worship this country so much. Its people.

  • Exposed piping & wiring drives me nuts aswell. It's really not that hard to make it tidy. U just have to convince (& I guess pay) people to think otherwise. :) In japan, i guess you would have to do a lot of consulting in order to get the result you desire. I have seen SOME examples of service-boards in japan where they are located close to the street, then the cables are truncated underground to the dwelling. Maybe look at upgrading your services at a later date perhaps & research that option?

  • That is very interesting.It is like rewiring an old structure that was built before the invention of electricity.

  • I'm from Minnesota where zoning laws regulate the wires, and the pipes and the signs, etc. The first time I was in a place like Texas, where they are not so regulated, I was amazed to round the top of a hill and see the ugly mess of wires, and everything on each property placed randomly, it's extremely unattractive. So I can relate

  • Yes, I agree that it detracts from the otherwise simple and beautiful architecture.

  • Very interesting. I enjoy the small differences between countries that most people don't notice.

  • Very interesting. I enjoy there

  • Every time I'm walking around Tokyo and see all the wiring above, I think the same thing but I guess its part of the charm of Japan.

  • Well the point is that it is a lot easier to build and to maintain and its cheaper. But it wont last as long than wires that are stored savely in the ground. It is even forbidden by law in diffrent countrys to do wirering open. Theres not really a problem with this kind of Wirering

  • Yep, that bugs the life out of me and those are some perfectly installed, perfectly obvious wires there. Around here even the main power lines down the street have trees cut and trained to grow around the areas of the wires somewhat concealing them. Every few years or so the debate comes up about burying the lines, power lines disturbing Cape Cod's beauty and all that but no body is prepared to foot the massive bill for the work.

  • very informative video indeed!

    i have always thought that they exposed wires and tubes because of the disasters.

  • most of the things you taped are common place here in America and I would assume most of the western world. You mentioned that its not that way in Australia, so I'll have to look up some videos of houses and whatnot there.

    While having conduit and electric boxes on the front of an apartment are hideous don't get me wrong, the gutter drain however at 2:13 seems normal.

  • Comment removed

  • Japanese likes" stracture of beauty" like tanks, pipesand complex of factory..

    that is why people in Japan likes "factory Moe or kojo moe"

    check out this watch?v=55uXXhvhutY

  • I guess it's visual pollution, however, I wonder if it has something to do with safety standards?

  • i love all your videos....

    but i saw some clips on youtube about "the COVE" its about japan something......,,

    as a foregeiner/citizen living in japan, can i hear whats your opinion about that ?

    :(

    dont get me wrong, i know its happening all over the world..

  • @30maisa he has made like 5 vids about it. check out his playlist.

  • I'm not sure what the areas around apartment complexes and houses are like over there, but I'd imagine there isn't much in the way of a yard... So cabling like that on the rear, or side walls, could be alright but it really is an eye sore on the front.

  • It's a plastic throw away society now, I love the old days when things were made to last.

  • In here the installation of wires even with wire cover is on the back of the house.

  • i found this like crazy :O

  • maybe you can make your own covers for the most unsightly bits of cabling on your house. don't forget you've got a mancave now!

  • I found it slightly interesting :)

  • in russia they wouldn't complain about it, just suck the electricity from your neighbours cable :D joke

  • There's lots of that in America too, we usually just paint it the same color as the house. I'd prefer a middle ground of concealed but accessible.

  • @frepi yeah but not next to the front door ..

  • Yeah it can be a shame when you see massive cables running down a nice, old Japanese building. However when I was in the countryside in Kurume I loved the cables because it added some character to the place, and it was drastically different from what we have in the UK.

  • This is one of the things i like in Japan. These kind of houses look high-tech.

  • plant a huge tree right in front of those cables and crap, that should fix it >.>

  • Dear god thats ugly

  • In the Uk, we always have the telephone wires etc on the outside, and also rainpipes, but everything else is underground. The outside stuff is usually put at the back of the house but in some cases - like the really old buildings - it has to go down the front.

  • pretty intresting video but it just is a waste of a building when wires arent hidden

  • I'm Japanese. When I was working in Japan. I work as electrician and plumber. Hiding pipes are take time too long. we had to go building house many times and we had to arrange plans with other workers.

    If you pay more extra money. they try to hide pipes.

    thanks.

  • @dupe1100 Thank YOU. Arigato gozaimasu.

  • do you/did you have to get your house inspected for code compliance? Is there a lot of bureaucracy involved? Do you have to get permits and stuff?

  • It's a lot easier to repair if there's a problem . I'm fine with it .

  • @rickdsr

    yeah especially in a cold winter :D when pipes can burst duh... XD

  • @CptEddyPrice Those arent water pipes ...duh .

  • @rickdsr

    yeah i know but the titles have Pipes in it :D duh

  • @rickdsr if you do it right the first time there will be no need to repair...

  • @rickdsr yes it is easier, it also would be equally easy if they installed these wires on the back side of the house were its not in view... just saying :)

  • @kanserstyx I agree . But sometimes you dont have that option .

  • Blade Runner

  • I found it interesting. I hope you can bury that cable, or whatever the end result implies.

    Thanks for the video!

  • Shame and the only worry I would have with it being exposed is that someone could cut the lines if they wanted to break in (so you would not have phone service).

  • This is what I do for a living so I can say something professional in regards to it. The reason that outside cables are well connected but not so solid in the air is in case they need to break away in case of an emergency, a car hit it or a tree fell on it. We also have underground conduit for cables, In the U.S, that are better looking. As far as commercial Buildings, most of the cables and pipes are well hidden and there are separate rooms for electronics and gas and water.

  • ...and just to wrap up, by having all wires/pipes on the outside, its much easier and inexpensive to *get* to the source of problems, especially in earthquake-prone Japan. As ugly as it seems to have a building clipped like that :)

  • I think there is an interesting cost element to this, too. I work in construction/insurance in Ireland where, like Australia, pipes/wires are traditionally hidden away. But then if a disaster happens - say a huge storm or flood - the *cost* of getting to those pipes/wires to fix them *and* re-hiding again is often the most expensive part of the resulting insurance claim. If a wall has to be opened up to get to a wire, then the whole wall would have to be reinstated.

  • haha, I even run my audio and some internet cables behind the walls, I'm addicted to concealing wires :D

  • meh, doesn't bother me.

  • I found it interesting...

    ...its my standards of putting wire around actually lol

  • that would annoy me too lol! xx

  • could you make more kyudo videos please

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