Trevor Leggett was head of the Japanese Department of the BBC and this  is a part of one of his broadcasts

Zubari

Hullo listeners!

Some early Talsho people like myself feel that things have got worse.
But I myself think that many things are much better. For instance, today there are no beggars in London. Fifty years ago, there were many, as there were in Tokyo too.
Another good thing is, that people are more kind to the old.
Recently I wanted to cross a wide road, carrying a big parcel. It was not a pedestrian crossing, but the road was momentarily clear. I started across.
But when I had got to the island in the middle, suddenly from a side-road, a stream of traffic came out. So, I had to wait. Then the traffic on the main road started up again. There were two lines of traffic, coming in a long stream. I was cut off.
In the distance there was a big lorry. When it was about thirty yards short of my Island, the driver pulled his huge vehicle diagonally across, and stopped. Of course, all the traffic was blocked behind him.
With a glance at my white hair, he flashed his lights, as if to say: ’Please cross’. As I went over I waved my hand to him in thanks, and he waved back with a smile.
I thought: ‘This is the new chivalry. The modern knight is not on an armoured horse, but in a big lorry. But the spirit of kindly courtesy is the same.’
I never remember seeing such a thing in Taisho times. My whole morning was sweetened by the memory, and I thought I would share it with you listeners.
If you are a lorry driver, will you remember to do it in Tokyo?

© Trevor Leggett