Today, I begin a Japan journal, complete with photos (no extra charge). I thought I would make an extra note here in the Corner, and take a little walk down Memory Lane.

When I was in high school, a classmate was enthusiastic for gun control. He pointed out — as many do — that there were very few gun deaths in Japan. Not long after, I learned the reason, at least to my satisfaction: Japanese people live there.

I’m talking about the power of culture.

In Tokyo — a vast, teeming city, that makes New York seem almost rural — there is no litter. Not a gum wrapper. There are practically no public garbage cans either, which is interesting. (Where do the people throw away their stuff?) There are no graffiti. There’s no crime, or virtually none. There is no begging.

(A friend who lives in Tokyo quipped to me, “I should start. There is clearly a market opening.”)

When I returned to New York, I was shocked by the rickety nature of the trains. And by the general filth of the city, even in good neighborhoods. After a day or two, you forget about it, because the contrast fades. Everything’s normal.

Switzerland is awash in guns, and there are virtually no gun deaths. Why? Swiss people live there.

I could go on, but I am simply noting the power of culture, an age-old and forever topic. Personally, I would not trade American culture for Japan’s, or Switzerland’s, or anyone’s. But there are trade-offs, trade-offs . . .

Vive la différence, as they say in Louisiana (and parts of Maine).