Strength of humanity in crisis...

[shootingstar]

It's really hard to gauge the situation from so far for a different culture.

And there are differences among different generations of Japanese --those who have directly experienced the horror of WW II (and blaming) vs. those who must deal with family members who experienced negative effects vs. the generation who never lived through it.

It is really tough to be organized or not to be too terrified under a major natural and man-made (radiation) disaster. It's impressive for any society/country to even function even if limping along, without attacking one another out of desperation for food, water, etc. It's impressive if there isn't much widespread looting.

I am not so sure though being "stoic" is the best. It's ok for short-term survival. But to be stoic for a long time can be stressful particularily if one has witnessed sudden/unexpected death (which often is traumatic)/experienced unexpected, premature deaths of loved ones. Sometimes the long-term stoicness can easily manifest into other less positive behaviours...

Unless the person has undergone a long inner journey of reconciliation with the past with the present and for future growth. And talking about or expiating the memory of tragedy in a non-hurtful way to anyone. Or allow catharsis of painful memory but directed in similar way. It's a long, long journey.

At this time, it's the radiation fall-out that is disconcerting. We will not know until many years later the real story. And we shall read stories that haunt when they emerge from all this for years to come.

Yea, this is all mumble-jumble.

[Crankin]

No, it's not Shootingstar.
First of all, the Japanese have more of a collectivist culture, as opposed to our "individualistic" one. So, the attitude that you noted, Mr. B. is a reflection of that.
But sometimes, there is a high price for stoicism and putting up a good front for the good of the group. I don't want to make statements about a culture I am not a part of. My statements are based on lots of case studies I did in my culture of identity and oppression course, as well as formerly living in a community that has at least a 15% Asian population. My kids saw a lot of their friends crack under the pressure. It wasn't fun when my 20 year old son had to call his friend's parents from college to tell them she was in the emergency room because she tried to kill herself.
It's very true that the Japanese are way more prepared for this type of emergency than we are.