Drinking in Japan is a very strange topic to approach. Cultural etiquette and reputation would have most believe that Alcohol use here is quite mild and pretty well controlled. This train of thought could not be anymore off the mark from reality than it is. Drinking in Japan is a monstrous disaster, and that's putting it lightly.
First of all, the laws surrounding alcohol are entirely opposite of those in most western nations. THERE IS NO LAST CALL or DRINKING CURFEW - I repeat there is no last call with the bars out here. Secondly, THERE IS NO LAW AGAINST DRINKING ON THE STREET IN PUBLIC! Please see my scientific documentary on putting this decree to the test.
These laws only contribute to the mess of factors that make Alcohol use in Japan such a sloppy and treacherous endeavor. I am not trying to belittle the race or people of Asia but I have noticed that Asian people react funny to alcohol consumption. For example: you can tell when someone of Asian decent has been drinking, their faces light up pink and their eyes kind of swell. Its kind of a similar but way more severe reaction to marijuana use.
Also, Alcohol use seems to offer some kind of escape from the daily stresses and is often times used as an excuse for bad behavior. Japanese people feel they can not be held accountable for things they do when they're drunk, this mentality is slowly fading.
The allergic reaction teamed with excessive drinking laws and abuse leads to a disgusting mess. Shinjuku station at 5 am is like a graveyard of Japanese people covered in Vomit and sometimes their own feces. (I'm not kidding) It's totally a disaster however, its also one that I enjoy taking part in every once in a while.
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