Flying in China and Japan

James Fallows has a splendid snapshot (ha!) of the differences between Japan and China:

With usual caveats against sweeping generalization, what this made me think was: Japan is all about the way of doing things. Practice, ritual, perfectionism, as much fanatical attention to the process as to the result. China is all about finding a way to do things. Improvisation, little interest in rules, putting up with whatever is necessary to attain the result… At the moment, I am feeling positive toward both approaches. The emphasis on the right  way of doing things is re-surprising on each encounter with Japan. And the determination to do things in China, no matter what, commands respect, despite the obvious complications and problems it creates. But when it comes to refueling the plane..

Make sure you check out the pictures too.