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  1. #1
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    Strength of humanity in crisis...

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    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...
    If you don't grow where you're planted, you'll never BLOOM - Will Rogers

  2. #2
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    I too am amazed at how patiently the tsunami victims wait in line for hours to receive food rations--and without incident. It's in sharp contrast to the looting that has occurred in an American town devastated by a natural disaster. I think it's because of their culture and having to live in a highly populated region that lends itself to their politeness towards their fellow man. I was looking at the photos of the devastation and how the elderly are being cared for. In that respect I saw the faces of the Katrina victims--the elderly men and women who were gathered outside the dome waiting for rescue.

    My heart goes out to these victims as they brace for powerful aftershocks and exposure to nuclear waste.

  3. #3
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    I am amazed at the devastation and the stoic nature of the people as well. I was very happy to hear this morning that my friend who is a professor here at the University found her family. She is Japanese and her mother and elderly alzheimer grandmother lived in a house near the beach in Sendai. My friend finally heard this morning that her family is well and made it to a shelter.

    That was wonderful news

  4. #4
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    My son and DIL....

    ....live in Tokyo and as I spoke to them yesterday on the phone one thing that I was amazed by was their concern for those who are really in the trenches of the disaster. They seemed to feel guilty for having a home, running water, electricity, food and wanted to give and help those in need.

    My son is looking for ways he can help with the rescue, however the government is urging people to stay out of the disaster areas unless trained to be there in search and rescue. Smart thing IMHO! They certainly don't need anymore statistics.

    They also aren't being told much by the government with the radiation fallout except to take all precautions like STAYING INDOORS! And wearing covering for their skin, head, and a mask when going outdoors. Kinda says it all to me, I am trying to stay positive but it's hard from so far away.

    I am most grateful they are alive and well!

    That said yes I do agree with you that their society as a whole conducts themselves in a sensible humane way and perhaps have less of an "every-man-for-himself" attitude. I don't know why that is, I can only offer this the outcries of the few are heard loud and clear when they are offensive to human dignity. If that makes sense, not everyone and hopefully most people are not so selfish in nature.
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  5. #5
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    I think it's a difficult proposition to measure very different cultures against each other as they all have strong features in very different areas, but certainly I feel that the Japanese emphasis on politeness, calm and civil behaviour is serving them very well in situations of crisis like this, and is a great resource for the entire society.
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  6. #6
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    That is wonderful news bikerchick and spokewench. Now we wait and keep Smilingcat's family in our thoughts and prayers.

    I've got the flu today or I'd be at work helping run a fundraiser for Red Cross. Guess we all do what we can from where we are.
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  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by lph View Post
    I think it's a difficult proposition to measure very different cultures against each other as they all have strong features in very different areas, but certainly I feel that the Japanese emphasis on politeness, calm and civil behaviour is serving them very well in situations of crisis like this, and is a great resource for the entire society.
    I agree with that! It always helps to remain calm in a crisis!
    Life is like a 10 speed bike, we all have gears we never use.
    Charles Schultz

    "The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without shocking the entire community."Ann Strong, Minneapolis Tribune, 1895

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Trek420 View Post
    That is wonderful news bikerchick and spokewench. Now we wait and keep Smilingcat's family in our thoughts and prayers.

    I've got the flu today or I'd be at work helping run a fundraiser for Red Cross. Guess we all do what we can from where we are.
    Thanks it is good news! I also will keep Smilingcat's family in my thoughts.

    I wish you much success on the Red Cross fundraiser!
    Life is like a 10 speed bike, we all have gears we never use.
    Charles Schultz

    "The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without shocking the entire community."Ann Strong, Minneapolis Tribune, 1895

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr. Bloom View Post
    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...
    Your comments about "our culture" are not accurate. I live two blocks from the World Trade Center and I saw many acts of selflessness on 9/11 and for a long, long, long time afterward.

    Another example is the flooding in Nashville, TN. The Red Cross expressed amazement how little need for immediate aid there was; the city really did organize to take care of itself under very difficult circumstances.

    I have admiration and respect for the Japanese people, and I don't doubt their culture has virtues which are of great value in a disaster. I cannot even fathom what they are experiencing, and it won't be over any time soon.

    However, I don't think we need to ignore what is good about our culture in order to give them the admiration and respect they certainly deserve.

  10. #10
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    I think it's partly due to the fact that the Japanese have had to weather so much before, that it's just another hurdle they have to go through. They've had devastating earthquakes before, and they've picked themselves up. They'll do it again.

    When I was talking to my mother, she didn't seem concerned at all; she's going to Nagoya next Monday but her response was "it's up in the North and everything will be fine by next week".

    I spoke with my cousin, and while she's south of Tokyo, she said it was the most horrifying thing she's ever experienced, that the aftershocks kept swaying her building enough for her to feel motion sickness.

    Now, living in an earthquake zone that is sorely overdue for a "big one", I think we'll have a much harder time grappling with it and picking ourselves up because we've never had to deal with anything to that level before.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by lph View Post
    I think it's a difficult proposition to measure very different cultures against each other as they all have strong features in very different areas, but certainly I feel that the Japanese emphasis on politeness, calm and civil behaviour is serving them very well in situations of crisis like this, and is a great resource for the entire society.
    I agree. Plus I do think that we've seen many cases in different parts of the world where a crisis can bring out the best in people.

    At the same time, there is much we can learn from how the Japanese prepare for and respond to earthquakes. As a culture they have a long history with these major events and have made earthquake readiness a top priority. As bad as things are, it seems that it could have been much, much worse.

    We have a different history, and a different collective memory about natural disasters in the U.S. Different geography, frequency and type of events. I'm as guilty as anyone about not having my emergency preparedness kit ready. I believe many communities have emergency plans, but how aware of them are the average Joe/Jane?
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  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by PamNY View Post
    Your comments about "our culture" are not accurate.
    A very fair observation. While typing my comments, I kept thinking of New Yorkers' response to 9/11; I forgot about Nashville...but I suppose that proves your point.

    You (and lph) are right. There are strengths to celebrate in each society...and to be fair, I do find some aspects of Japanese society challenging.

    So, when we fail, why is it?
    Last edited by Mr. Bloom; 03-14-2011 at 01:28 PM.
    If you don't grow where you're planted, you'll never BLOOM - Will Rogers

  13. #13
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  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr. Bloom View Post
    So, when we fail, why is it?
    What do you consider to be failure?

    Or put another way, when is something a non-failure, or dare I say -- success?
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  15. #15
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    I admire Japanese culture and people enough to train in their art of Aikido for many years. I think in some ways that gives me insight to their culture. In some ways I enter the culture each time I open a dojo door and bow

    But I'm an American. We had heroes in Katrina too. And we lost a lot, a culture and way of life.

    "What made me stay was the old people. I just realized that nobody else in here could have gotten those people out. They would have sat in here for five more days. And they didn't have five more days."

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