When in Rome, do as the Romans do . . . Jaywalk. Anyway that's what I did on my sole trip to the Eternal City some years back, cautiously following snappy Italian shoes here and there across the Via del Corso and elsewhere.
Accordingly, back in Japan I strive to do what the Japanese do. No, I do not wait numbly at street corners till the light turns green -- when but a quick glance reveals there are no moving vehicles within a nautical mile. In that case I do what many Japanese do not do: I break both law and propriety and simply cross the street.
But, pedestrian violations aside, in other ways I try to follow Japanese customs as much as possible. In fact, my matrimonial harmony often depends on it.