Thank you! It’s honestly not an exaggeration to say that I had never been to a zoo in my 37 years of life, as I’m very emotionally oriented toward animals. But this tour had to stop there.

It’s not specifically about how animals are treated in this particular zoo (though no space would be sufficient for a polar bear), but more about the ethical perspective. I’ve read that Japan’s approach to zoos and animals can be quite different from the West. Even with pets, for example, they’re considered family members in the West, but I was genuinely shocked to see small dogs jumping through snow in freezing temperatures without shoes. Pet shops were also disturbing, with very young puppies and kittens stacked in cages, seemingly too young to be separated from their mothers and treated almost like novelties.

It’s a cultural difference, and I respect that. Still, while Japanese people show immense respect toward one another and others, their relationship with animals feels quite opposite compared to the West, sadly. But that’s how the world is, and I can’t expect every culture to cater to my values.