I'm curious about clear files--those ubiquitous merch items that seem to be really popular in Japan and among anime/Japanese culture aficionados.
I think I understand the intended purpose of them--they're basically clear plastic envelopes (without the closing flap) into which people can put their papers for storage/transport. So I imagine they might be popular among kids in school as a fun way to carry their stuff. Could be they even have multiple clear files, each for a different subject or different kinds of documents.
Given the above, I've been comparing them to the folders I remember using when I was in school. Where I come from, we often use pocket folders (At least I usually did; ring binders were also popular, though you could even use the two together.). For anyone who doesn't know, pocket folders are similar to clear files. They're usually made of plastic or heavier paper, and the plastic/paper is folded or otherwise attached on the bottom edge and sides such that it makes a pocket that goes partway up. The whole thing is then folded in half so that there are two halves, with the pockets facing each other on the inside.
I'm sure it must depend on the culture to a certain extent, but to me, pocket folders seem like a better solution to the problem of carrying documents, because it seems like they would be able to hold more documents at once, and it would be easier to look back through the papers without having to completely remove them all from the folder (which you may/may not have to do, depending on how stuffed your clear file is). On the other hand, clear files are seem basically always to be made of translucent plastic, so they might offer better protection if a person were caught in the rain (which could be really helpful in Japan's climate). They might also tend to be slimmer--which is sort of just the other side of the lesser storage capacity I mentioned earlier.
So, I guess I'm just curious--why are clear files so popular? And why do they continue to be preferred over other solutions, assuming they are? (Though I guess one possible answer to the latter is obvious--sometimes people don't choose to adopt a new solution even if it's better; they opt to keep the old way for the sake of comfortability or tradition.)
I think I understand the intended purpose of them--they're basically clear plastic envelopes (without the closing flap) into which people can put their papers for storage/transport. So I imagine they might be popular among kids in school as a fun way to carry their stuff. Could be they even have multiple clear files, each for a different subject or different kinds of documents.
Given the above, I've been comparing them to the folders I remember using when I was in school. Where I come from, we often use pocket folders (At least I usually did; ring binders were also popular, though you could even use the two together.). For anyone who doesn't know, pocket folders are similar to clear files. They're usually made of plastic or heavier paper, and the plastic/paper is folded or otherwise attached on the bottom edge and sides such that it makes a pocket that goes partway up. The whole thing is then folded in half so that there are two halves, with the pockets facing each other on the inside.
I'm sure it must depend on the culture to a certain extent, but to me, pocket folders seem like a better solution to the problem of carrying documents, because it seems like they would be able to hold more documents at once, and it would be easier to look back through the papers without having to completely remove them all from the folder (which you may/may not have to do, depending on how stuffed your clear file is). On the other hand, clear files are seem basically always to be made of translucent plastic, so they might offer better protection if a person were caught in the rain (which could be really helpful in Japan's climate). They might also tend to be slimmer--which is sort of just the other side of the lesser storage capacity I mentioned earlier.
So, I guess I'm just curious--why are clear files so popular? And why do they continue to be preferred over other solutions, assuming they are? (Though I guess one possible answer to the latter is obvious--sometimes people don't choose to adopt a new solution even if it's better; they opt to keep the old way for the sake of comfortability or tradition.)