Jarman International CEO Ruth Marie Jarman contributed an article to Tokyo Updates, an online magazine run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government that introduces aspects of daily life, sustainability initiatives, international community, and urban challenges in the metropolis.
In her article — published on May 25, 2026, and titled “Finding Wa on the Tokyo Train: Thirty Six Years of Commuting in Japan” — Ruth reflects on her experience adjusting to life in Tokyo after moving to Japan from the US. Although she was surrounded by crowds on packed commuter trains, she still felt isolated because strangers avoided eye contact and did not exchange smiles, as people commonly do in the US.
Over time, though, Ruth came to see Tokyo’s trains as places of connection and consideration — a manifestation of the Japanese concept of wa (group harmony). She noticed quiet acts of cooperation, such as making room for others, helping people board and exit crowded trains, and assisting those who are tired or feeling unwell.
To close her article, Ruth adds that, in recent years, she has noticed a change in Tokyites: more direct friendliness and smiles between strangers. Although it’s still possible to feel isolated and lost in Tokyo’s crowds, a close observer of daily life can find both traditional expressions of wa and new warmth.
In addition to Ruth’s own contribution, Jarman International helps coordinate freelance writers of various international backgrounds to conduct interviews and write articles for Tokyo Updates. Jarman International is honored to be able to help the Tokyo government share what makes the metropolis special.
