Regarding the June 11 article "Wait a sec: Smartphones helping more in Japan deal with irritatingly long waits, survey says": This survey is weird and interesting. I am amazed at the startling ingenuity of the surveyors concerning the subject matter.
The survey, if it does reflect part of society, is disturbing as well. It is not a healthy sign that people get impatient/irritated in 10 to 15 minutes. Moreover, the Japanese are known to be very hardworking people who do not waste time; at least, that's the stereotyped image. This survey hints that the subjects of the study have time "to kill" after all rather than use in productive ways.
Again, if this is true, it is ironic that people who are so busy that they don't have time to sleep well or spend time with family and friends have time to kill. It may reflect that priorities have changed and that they are indeed adopting ways so as not to "waste" time.
It is not for me to be judgmental. But this can perhaps also partially explain the long working hours. Probably someone is "killing time" somewhere on some pretext.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.