> Is it typical for Japanese towns to have all the electricity wiring above ground?
Yes
> Is it on purpose
Yes? Electrical wiring is built deliberately, of course it's on purpose. Where else would you put it, and why? You're implying it's somehow normal to bury it? That sounds like it would be expensive, both to build and to maintain.
> You're implying it's somehow normal to bury it? That sounds like it would be expensive, both to build and to maintain.
It is in my neck of the woods (the Netherlands) too, the only places you see overground electricity is high tension lines outside of towns. Here's a random suburb I just picked randomly, looks like it was built in the 80's: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7DeZiTyKuB4DZKdG8. Or else Amsterdam, which is much older: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FWm6vYgbV5h2CkZu5.
I'd argue (based purely on gut feeling and handwaving) that having it out in the open is more expensive and dangerous; weathering, wind, trees, cars crashing into it, people climbing up into it, birds, etc.
Anyway, your comment sounds like US defaultism, be wary of that.
Wait, maybe I got that the wrong way around. We put long-distance cables in the air because the soil is so soft and thus mobile, and underground cables would break. Either one ;P
>Anyway, your comment sounds like US defaultism, be wary of that.
i'm a US citizen that is surrounded in underground electrical networks; i'm not sure there is really a 'US defaultist' stance on whether or not one prefers above or underground wiring.
I'm not sure about your location, but around here (Austria) it is indeed much more common to have electrical wiring that runs through the ground than above air. The only place where you see wiring above ground is usually out in the rural areas.
Yes
> Is it on purpose
Yes? Electrical wiring is built deliberately, of course it's on purpose. Where else would you put it, and why? You're implying it's somehow normal to bury it? That sounds like it would be expensive, both to build and to maintain.