Features Of The Soundscape In Fukuoka City, A Major City In Japan ...

Table 1. The answers to the first question: the sounds usually heard inJapan but never heard in home countries (numbers in the parenthesesshow numbers of answers>All respondents’ answers (more than 3 answers) :exhaust pipe noise by delinquent bike riders (Bousouzoku) (53), aircraftnoise (21) , crow caws (15)) traffic sound signal for the blind (II> ,chirping of cicadas (9), peddlers’ cries (81, sounds of Japanese-stylepinball (Pachinko) game parlor (7), exhaust pipe noise of motorcycles(7), sound alarm of railroad crossing (6)) sound of train (51, electioncampaign broadcast (5), traffic noise (5), festival (41, community noise(4)) sound of waves at the beach (4)) bird chirping (31, tolling of templebells (3), construction noise (3), dog barking (3), fireworks (3), frogcreakings (3)Chinese respondents’ answers (more than 3 answers) :exhaust pipe noise by delinquent bike riders (Bousouzoku) (401, aircraftnoise (13)) traffic sound signal for the blind (8), crow caws (71, exhaustpipe noise of motorcycles (6), traffic noise (4), sound of waves at thebeach (4), election campaign broadcast (41, sounds of Japanese-stylepinball (Pachinko) game parlor (4), chirping of cicadas (3), dog barking(3), peddlers’ cries (31, community noise (3)Korean respondents’ answers (more than 2 answers) :exhaust pipe noise by delinquent bike riders (Bousouzoku) (4), crowcaws (4)) aircraft noise (3), sound alarm of railroad crossing (2)The second most frequently indicated sound is “aircraft noise.” Therespondents say “it is noisy, the airport should move, and classes areinterrupted by aircraft noise.”Fukuoka International Airport is located near the center of Fukuokacity. Fukuoka citizens enjoy easy access to the airport. On the other hand,many inhabitants under the flying route are exposed to aircraft noise. KyushuUniversity is located just under that route. Most of the respondents indicatingthis sound are students of Kyushu University.The third-ranked sound is “crow caws.” Recently, in many cities inJapan, many crows are in the downtown area. They have been losing theirterritories in the mountain area by development and they can survive ongarbage in urban areas. The number of crows is increasing in cities.In some major cities in Japan, widespread damage to garbage bagsINTERNOISE 98Christchurch New Zealand 16-18 November

torn open by crows is reported. Garbage is normally collected in themorning. However, in Fukuoka city, garbage is collected at midnight. So,damage by crows is not so serious here. However, foreigners recognizemany crow caws in Fukuoka city. The impression of crows is generally“unlucky.” Crow is considered as a bird of ill omen.The fourth-ranked sound is “the traffic sound signal for the blind.” Forthe blind, there are two kinds of traffic sound signals in Japan. One is thealternate short melodies: “Comin’ thro’ the Rye” (Scottish folk song) or“Please pass by (Touryanse in Japanese) ” (Japanese traditional childsong). The other is two alternate bird-song like electronic sounds. InFukuoka city, two alternate short melodies are used. Impression of thissound is mainly positive. This sound signal is accepted as a necessity tohelp the handicapped.The fifth-ranked sound is the “the chirping of cicadas.” Chirping ofcicada is a typical summer sound in Japan. It is the keynote sound ofFukuoka city in summer. Of course, in other parts of Asia, cicadas are heardchirping in summer. However, some respondents are not familiar with thissound. This answer reflects the climate difference.From sixth to tenth, there are “the peddlers’ cries, the sounds ofJapanese-style pinball (Pachinko) game parlor, the exhaust pipe noise ofmotorcycles, the sound alarm of railroad crossing, the sound of trains, theelection campaign broadcast, and traffic noise.”There are also many kinds of peddlers’ cries in foreign countries.However, the Japanese peddlers’ cries have unique intonation. The cries ofthe peddlers of roast sweet potato is a typical example. They are like singinga song. In the past, peddlers’ cries were their natural voices. However,nowadays, most of peddlers use public-address system and their voices areusually tape-recorded.“Pachinko” is a popular amusement for Japanese adults. We can seePachinko parlors in every downtown and along the main streets in Japan.The combination of steel pinball sounds, electronic sound effects, and loudbackground music makes unique soundscape. These sounds arouse thepassion for gambling. The acoustic environment of Pachinko parlors iscurious for foreigners.Japanese election campaign is mainly based on the shouting of thecandidate’s name and “please vote for (the candidate’s name> ” usingpublic-address system. In particular, this sound attracts the Chineserespondents.Frequently indicated sounds actually characterize Japanesesoundscape. However, minority opinions may usually be based on personalexperiences.INTERNOISE 98Christchurch New Zealand 16-18 November

Second Question: The sounds usually heard in home countries lessheard in JapanTable 2 shows the answers to the second question (the sounds lessheard in Japan) by all the respondents, the Chinese, and the Koreans.The most frequently indicated sound for the second question by all therespondents is “car horn.” Impression of this sound is “noisy and irritating.”They wonder why there are few car horns heard although there are toomany cars in Japan. The restraint on the use of car horn may not be enoughin other Asian countries. Car horn was also a major noise source in Japan.However, from about 40 years ago, Japanese police have forbidden overusethe horn.The second-ranked sound is “conversation or human voices.” Therespondents indicate, although there are many people in Japan, people aregenerally quiet. In other Asian countries (at least, in China and Korea),people talk more on street corners.The third-ranked sound is the “ringing of bicycle bells.” This sound isindicated by only Chinese respondents. Among the Chinese, this soundranks the second. Bicycle is a major transportation means in China. Bellringing of bicycle is a feature of Chinese soundscape. Chinese respondentswonder why the Japanese do not use bicycle bells. They use the bell toexchange greetings.Table 2. The answers to the second question: the sounds usually heardin home countries but less heard in Japan (numbers in theparentheses show numbers of answers>All respondents’ answers (more than 3 answers> :car horns (34) , conversation or human voices (IO> , ringing of bicyclebells (8), construction noise (7), traffic noise (7), bird cries (6), theircountries’ folk songs (6), fire crackers (4), public address (4), cocks’cries (4), sound of train (3), music in the early morning (3)Chinese respondents’ answers (more than 2 answers> :car horn (20) , ringing of bicycle bells (7), construction noise (5), trafficnoise (3), sound of train (3), bird cries (31, fire crackers (31, theircountries’ folk songs (31, conversation or human voices (3)Korean respondents’ answers (more than 2 answers> :car horn (5), conversation about political issues (2)INTERNOISE 98Christchurch New Zealand 16-18 November

The other frequently indicated sounds are “construction noise, trafficnoise, bird cries, their countries’ folk songs, fire crackers, public address, etc.The explosive sound of fire crackers is a sound symbol of Chinese culture.They use fire crackers in celebrations and festivals. The response onconstruction and traffic noise may reflect the differences of regulation ofindustrial noise and noise control technology.Third Question: Total impression of Japanese Acoustic EnvironmentThe main answer is “although Bousouzoku and airplane are noisy,Japanese acoustic environment is quiet enough.” Also, there are theopinions, “If there are no Bousouzoku and aircraft noise, Japanese acousticenvironment is good, generally quiet, or very quiet.”Some respondents even say, “Japanese acoustic environment islifeless.” Cities in other Asian countries seem to be more lively althoughnoisy.Furthermore, some respondents indicate, “there are many artificialsounds in Japan,” or “there are only artificial sounds in Japan.” Thesepeople have negative image of artificial sounds. Exceptions are sound signalfor the blind, chime of school which inform the beginning and end of class,and background music.4. CONCLUSIONThe questionnaire from foreigners living in Japan points outcharacteristic sounds in Fukuoka. The obtained answers are the soundswhich we hear in daily life: the exhaust noise by wild bike riders, the trafficsound signal for the blind, the peddlers’ cries, etc. The respondents live inFukuoka city and most of them do not know other cities in Japan. However,we hear most of these sounds in other cities as well.Japanese usually do not recognize that these sounds areJapanese-like sounds. However, for foreigners, these sounds characterizethe Japanesesoundscape.Impression of acoustic environment of Fukuoka city is generally good.However, Bousouzoku noise and aircraft noise damages the impression.REFERENCES[II B. Traux, Handbook for Acoustic Ecology (Vancouver, A. R. C.Publication, 1978) .INTERNOISE 98Christchurch New Zealand 16-18 November