A road in Saitama has caved in leading to an unrelenting foul smell from the sewer. Residents in the neighborhood have been badly affected by the persistent odor. Local authorities are working to fix the issue but the complexities of the sewer system have made it a daunting task. This incident has highlighted the pressing infrastructure problems in parts of Japan.

The road collapse and subsequent enduring sewer odor is a concerning and serious issue in Japan. Japanese citizens place high value on cleanliness and hygiene, which goes hand in hand with their cultural social responsibility. This issue has stirred up discussions on the infrastructure, cleanliness, and public health. Laws are strict for pollution and public sanitation, making this a demanding task for the local authorities.

In the US and EU, similar issues of collapsing infrastructure and the problems it may bring like odor are addressed strictly and promptly because these incidents often reflect the general state of the city's infrastructure planning and upkeep. However, due to several layers of bureaucracy, the speed of mitigation and remediation can sometimes be slower than desired.