Anyone imagine what would have been the fate of the US had we been "hit" like Japan? Take a look at my former home city of New Orleans, for example, where Katrina is baby crap compared to what hit Japan. Looting in the streets, murders, looters shooting at rescue workers, etc., Take a look at Japan now. People wait half the day for some water and food. There have been no incidents of looting. Well, no incidents that are newsworthy as believe me, the major news outfits would pounce all over that. There have been no fights in the massive food/water lines. There is an attitude of "roll up your sleeves, and do the right thing" among the Japanese that I highly respect! Anyone remember that WWII poster (I know ironic since were talking about Japan), where the young Lady with the bandana on her head, sleeves rolled up, and making a bicep muscle was a recruitment poster for Women to work in munitions, etc., factories? The attitude THEN here in the US was roll up your sleeves, pitch in, and do the right thing. Fast forward to 2011 here in the US and there is absolutely NO comparison to the values people of the 1950's had vs the "values" we "behold" now. So sad! It's almost like the US we knew; a once great Country has been turned into an "out of my damn way, give me something, screw you" Country. Breaks my heart. As for the Japanese people, I am very proud of them for keeping with their values of honor and courage in the face of this disaster! We may be a super power, but we aren't too damned super to learn from the Japanese during their time of dispair...
Japan is still more of a homogenous society. The US, today, is more of a heterogeneous society. :eek:
If they can get power to the fukushima site, that would be tremendous! If not, it's a matter of time. And yes, we could really learn from the Japanese. They hold honor, and commitment very high. We hold Jersey shore, and the "real" housewives up as cool...
Kind of off topic, but I collect knives and Japanese swords. The Samurai sword is THE most effective, most deadly edged weapon ever invented. Reading about Japanese sword smiths from the Tojo era, and earlier blows my mind! These guys were able to make a sword that trump all swords ever made throughout the World. When a sword was finished, it was a great honor to be the new owner, and also an honor for the sword smith to have worked so hard creating perfection. I have my eye on one right now from the Tojo era that comes with documentation. It's only (lol) $18,000. Just an example of their work ethic which was "bred in" hundreds of years ago, and stays to this day.
1923 Great Kanto earthquake http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1923_Great_KantÅ_earthquake One particularly pernicious rumor was that Koreans were taking advantage of the disaster, committing arson and robbery, and were in possession of bombs. In the aftermath of the quake, mass murder of Koreans by brutal mobs occurred in urban Tokyo and Yokohama, fueled by rumors of rebellion and sabotage. About 6,600 Koreans were murdered. .... The total death toll from these disturbances is uncertain. According to the investigation by the Home Ministry, confirmed victims of vigilante violence were: 231 Koreans killed, 43 injured; 3 Chinese killed; 59 Japanese killed, 43 injured. Actual estimates range from 2,500 to 6,600. 362 Japanese civilians were eventually charged for murder, attempted murder, manslaughter and assault. However, most got off with nominal sentences, and even those who were sent to jail were later released with a general pardon commemorating the marriage of Prince Hirohito. In contrast, the actual number of Koreans who were charged for crimes during this period were 2 for murder, 3 for arson, and 6 for robbery. All of those charged with murder were civilians, despite the fact that some military and police units are now known to have taken part in the crimes, prompting accusations of a cover-up. On top of this violence, socialists like Hirasawa Keishichi, anarchists like Sakae Osugi and Noe Ito, and the Chinese communal leader, Ou Kiten, were abducted and killed by members of the police, who took advantage of the turmoil to liquidate perceived enemies of the state amidst claims that radicals intended to use the crisis as an opportunity to overthrow the Japanese government. The importance of obtaining and providing accurate information following natural disasters has been emphasized in Japan ever since. Earthquake preparation literature in modern Japan almost always directs citizens to carry a portable radio and use it to listen to reliable information, and not to be misled by rumors in the event of a large earthquake. They've been there before, they know how to act under distress.
I think it's fair to give credit to the Japanese for the way they stress the importance of honor. But like anything else it can be taken too far.
This is true. Perfect example is the Japanese auto industry. The typical Japanese auto worker doesn't go home until he has completed his work, or task at hand. I'm sure that may create some tension at home... However, look at the finished product vs. a Chrysler product, for example. No comparison. And yes, the very traditional Japanese do still commit suicide over major failure, or what he feels is dishonor. With that statement made, I wonder what the execs from the fukushima plant will do if it's found out that they were hiding safety flaws, and the plant (let's pray not) melts down? Hmmmm None the less, I'm very proud of the way the Japanese citizens have handled themselves during this disaster. Very proud! If this were to have hit the west coast of the US, imo we would have looting, and mass hysteria that would make Hurricane Katrina looting look like a small shoplifting event.