Japanese sidewalks are very crowded, yet bicycles share the sidewalks with people (not the streets with cars), so people are used to moving out of the way when hearing someone ring their bicycle bell. As you'll see, it does not work only on the sidewalks. Helps if you understand Japanese, but not required -- you'll get it.
This is too funny!!!
From http://garr.posterous.com/what-happens-if-you-ring-a-bic
Sunday, February 22
マッドシティーの発明- - What happens if you ring a bicycle bell in Japan.
