What are your impressions of Japanese and their society after seeing all the TV reports ? (Vanity )

3/14/11

[sushiman]

I've been here ( Japan ) a long time , so what I have seen does not surprise me : the people's resilience ; the community spirit ; the never give up attitude ; the discipline ; etc...I would love to hear what your impressions have been , watching from halfway around the world .

[RandallFlagg]

I haven’t watched TV in years.
But after reading all of these threads, I want to go to Japan for vacation to help their economy.

Don’t have the $$$ for it, though.

...Yet

[CrickMan]

Very patient people. Maybe someone has seen looting and rioting, but I haven’t.

[Smokin' Joe]

Let me put it this way. What does anyone here think the result would be in America if such devastation were unleashed on an American city and its environs? Katrina may be a valid reference.

I have heard no reports of looting, and that alone speaks volumes.

[American Infidel]

An incredibly organized, disciplined, and honorable societal structure in stark contrast to what you see in other places (such as New Orleans)during similar tragic events. I had the pleasure of spending some time in Japan in the 90’s and look forward to returning some day. I wish the Japanese all the best as they recover from the devastation, which they will do through sheer will and determination.

[trailz]

I thought real disasters had people whining for government from their rooftops.

[pepsionice]

I worked with a guy who spent six years in Japan. As he described it....you just don’t see crime or looting in the rural areas of Japan at all. These are a very proud people who don’t allow punks to get out of control typically.

[heye2monn]

If this happened in the United States, millions of mind-numbed Obamatrons would be clamoring for a trillion-dollar stimulus.

[sushiman]

Last I heard , Japan does not have a branch of NAMBLA .

[SamAdams76]

We were right to drop the atom bomb on them in WW2. They would have fought to the last man otherwise. What a contrast to the “victims” of Hurricane Katrina who just sat on their bums waiting for the government to do something.

[sushiman]

I agree about the bomb , and also with your comments re : contrast to Katrina .

I’ve been here 25 years , so what I’ve seen does not surprise me at all , obviously .

[Minus_The_Bear]

I think that a nation with a strong sense of community (nationalism) like Japan has a much better chance of bouncing back quickly from a disaster like this.

It is something in nations like Japan & Korea I envy... a strong sense of unapologetic patriotism.

[JoanneSD]

The calm and reaction of the Japanese people is amazing.. and comparing this ti Katrina it is aamazing I have heard of no looting for rampaging stores, even people are standing orderly in line for food...

[JoanneSD]

The calm and reaction of the Japanese people is amazing.. and comparing this ti Katrina it is aamazing I have heard of no looting for rampaging stores, even people are standing orderly in line for food...

[Upstate NY Guy]

A lot of people here in the states are having private discussions along these lines:

1. How are the people in Japan reacting to the catastrophe?
2. What would the reaction be if a similar event occurred here?

The general consensus I am hearing to question one is this:

1. The Japanese are remarkably self controlled and law abiding.
2. Their actions are governed by strong moral convictions and a sense of community.
3. These traits are probably the result of upbringing and culture.

The reaction to a similar event here in the states would vary greatly by region. In some areas the people would be remain law abiding and self controlled. They would try to help one another. In other areas of the country there would be massive looting, other criminal activities, and demands for government handouts. The difference in these two reactions are the difference in the upbringing and morality of the local inhabitants.

Hope all goes well for you and your family in Japan.

[Ronin]

Everyone I am talking to is frustrated that there is not much we can do to help the people in serious trouble. But as for the resilience, the community spirit, discipline etc., I’ve been here so long I just can’t imagine Japanese people acting any other way.

[Fresh Wind]

honorable?

I don’t know about that

You've obviously never been there.

[Happy Rain]

The Japanese civilians proved their stoicism during WWII.
Massive bombings both conventional,incendiary and nuclear,starvation from blockade and the near destruction of an entire generation of men in overseas conflict tested their mettle to the extreme.
The ultimate xenophobes,the Japanese have been living together without the hassle of having to assimilate foreigners for thousands of years.
Even now,Japan is still 98.5% Japanese and though many would call it self-segregation bordering on national racism the Japanese model does have the advantage of compelling the population to stick together as a “family” of sorts.
After all,isn't “gung ho” Japanese?