In the weeks that have followed what the U.S. Geological Survey said was a magnitude 8.9, the biggest earthquake to hit Japan since officials began keeping records in the late 1800s, and one of the biggest ever recorded in the world, I've been on the other side of the world in my native homeland busy accomplish goals and chasing my dreams. Being forever connected with Japan by marriage, my past experiences with the US military and international education and by my love of the Japanese culture and it's people, I am quite disappointed in myself for not taking a more active role locally to help raise money for the Japanese people in their time of need.
One common thought that has crossed my mind since the big earthquake was the Japanese word, Kawaisou. This word means poor, pitiful, sad, sorrowful, miserable. I first learned this word from my mother-in-law. She was talking to my wife back in 1999 and feeling sorry for me since at that time was a complete novice when it came to the Japanese language and customs. I got turned around at the Shinjuku train station and didn't have a cell phone and some how got back to her home about three hours after dinner. Of course, everyone was worried about me.
With this being said, I will help by using this tragedy as a teachable moment and highlight the silver lining. That is, not once has there been a report regarding looting which is a testiment to the Japanese people and its culture. Furthermore, there has been strong support domestically and internationally as well as preserverence from the Japanese people once the dust settled and smoke cleared.
"Why don't Japanese loot? Because it's not in their culture. How is that culture defined? An absence of looting."
First, in the days and weeks that followed, Japanese people formed lines outside supermarkets. Supermarkets would close in the early hours of the afternoon due to running out of stock then reopen the next morning with a line of people patiently waiting. Unlike those undisciplined thieves in post-Katrina New Orleans and post-earthquake Haiti, the Japanese will still wait in line for groceries. It is important to understand that the Japanese culture values the group over the individual.
A better explanation to why the Japanese don't loot may be structural factors such as a robust system of laws that reinforce honesty, a strong police presence, and, ironically, active crime organizations. More on the yakuza's roll in the reason why Japanese don't loot.
Next, "Operation Tomodachi" is a United States Armed Forces assistance operation to support Japan in disaster relief following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. As the US threatens to temporarily close its own government due to a lack of funds, tough decisions must be made by the US government regarding being First World countries such as Japan's primary military support and the associated costs that come with having a forward deployed military on the other side of the world. As of 29 March 2011, the operation, including relief supplies provided to victims of the disaster, was expected to cost a total of $80 million.
In the days that follow the Earthquake and Tsunami, there are signs of hope in the affected area of Tohoku. One bit of good news is that the construction of regular relocation facilities has begun and 30,000 houses will be completed in two months. There are also plans to build 2,800 more. Furthermore, other prefectures such as Tokyo, Saitama and Hyogo have announced that they will take in refugees from the area. For example, Hyogo Prefecture is willing to take in 10,000 people and so is Osaka. As Hyogo( its capital is Kobe) was hit by the Great Earthquake in 1995 and received a lot of support from other prefectures then, it is very keen to help the people in Tohoku.
In closing, these days, American Rock legend, Jon Bon Jovi asks, "What do you got (if you ain't got love?)"
Japan, never give up hope. Many people around the world love your culture and people and will do what we can to be there for you in your time of need.
DJS
Dublin, Ohio, USA
April 16th, 2011
Divine Wind Vault http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com (C)2006-11
