I think we all watch in horror with the unfolding triple disasters occurring in Japan - earthquake, tsunami, and now, an emerging nuclear catastrophe.

I'm not trying to minimize any disaster, but one thing that amazes me is the absolute strength and resilience of Japanese society in the face of disaster. I'm not hearing of rioting or looting. I'm not seeing coverage of people in arms demanding anything or complaining.

Maybe I'm not seeing it, or maybe - just maybe - there isn't any to cover.

I remember a news report after the Kobe quake (15ish years ago?) where a small girl, maybe 10 yrs old, was being given warm soup at a disaster soup line. When asked if she wanted more, her translated response still rings in my ears years later - "NO, THANK YOU. THIS IS MORE THAN SUFFICIENT."

It seems that, in our culture, our 'everyone for themselves' attitude hits bottom in the face of disaster...but in Japan, their best shows through...

Am I missing something? Is their society just repressed? Defeatist? or is it really that strong and altruistic?

ETA: I don't want to be too hard on western civ... I do see it in some recreational sports activities (cycling included) and in some faith communities here, but in Japan, it seems to permeate every corner of culture....like they're one big affinity group...