In the U.K., if there are no cars coming, people will cross the street, even if the pedestrian light is red. However, in Japan, only real rebels cross the street when the light is red. Waiting for the light to change takes some time. If you see a set of lights about half a mile ahead and they are green, no need to run, they will still be green when you get there.
It is said that Buddhist monks reach enlightenment by pure meditation. All over Japan, they sneak out in the middle of the night and stand at pedestrian crossings. Try it, you may reach a meditive state too.
