Jimmy Kimmel, the late-night star, said that watching hygiene standards in Japan radically affected his perspective on cleanliness in the United States and that he’d “never felt dirtier” in his own nation.
Kimmel stated Tuesday evening on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” that before coming to Japan on a seven-day family trip, he thought the US was “pretty buttoned-up” despite having places for improvement.
“But now, after traveling to Japan, I realize that this place, this USA we’re always chanting about, is a filthy and disgusting country,” he went on to say.
Kimmel noted that he was particularly impressed with Japan’s bathrooms.
“Not only did I not encounter a single dirty bathroom, the bathrooms in Tokyo and Kyoto are cleaner than our operating rooms here,” Kimmel told CNN.
The TV personality praised the loos at Japanese truck stops, saying they were “cleaner than Jennifer Garner’s teeth.”
“It’s as if the entire country is Disneyland, and we live at Six Flags. I’ve been home for 36 hours.” I’ve never felt dirtier,” he admitted.
Kimmel was also impressed by Tokyo residents’ lack of littering in the absence of public trash cans, which local authorities had removed after the 1995 sarin gas attacks.
“They’re like, okay, no more trash cans. Everyone tidys up after themselves. And, guess what? “They clean up after themselves,” Kimmel explained.
“Compared to the Japanese, we’re like hogs. Kimmel stated, “I can’t imagine what they must think of us.” “Ah, the garbage people.” Yes, Americans. Garbage. Yes.”
In Japan, public bathrooms have become a source of tourist intrigue, with toilets including automatic bidets, heated seats, pulse sensors, and sound systems to hide flushing noise. In 2019, a Japanese toll operator built public toilets along the Central Nippon Expressway that may detect driver fatigue.
Japan is well-known around the world for encouraging cleanliness and hygiene practices. During the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Japanese national team earned waves for cleaning their dressing room following an upset victory over Germany 2-1.
During the same tournament, FIFA commended Japanese fans for cleaning up the local stadium after their matches.
Kimmel is one of tens of millions of people who just visited Japan on vacation. Official figures estimate that a weak yen will support a tourism boom, with travelers spending approximately $35.9 billion in 2023.
Monthly visitor arrivals in Japan increased to 2.78 million in February, surpassing 2019 levels as the tourist industry anticipates a prolonged, strong rebound from the COVID-19 health issue.
