My two favorites:
Posted on 03/20/2011 12:28:54 PM PDT by goodnesswins
Post news of Recovery and Relief in Japan....and ways to help.....HERE
Here is previous thread....
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2691038/posts?page=20#20
maybe ping your lists??? Here is hoping more aid is getting in now.
Notice how life goes on in Japan. You aren’t seeing the 24/7 calls for help, food drives, blanket drives, etc. as we had with, oh as an example, Katrina..
That is because the Japanese largely do not believe in helping others in any sense of the picture that we would recognize here.
Stunningly, Japanese seem willing to let other Japanese suffer and continue their own lives unaffected by guilt.
It has always struck me as odd.
My church is collecting money for Japan.
Maybe they just don’t plaster it 24/7 all over....I doubt we know much about what is going on...they don’t see themselves as VICTIMS of the “man”....like so many here...have you lived in Japan?
This is not what I am seeing or hearing. Perhaps we are looking at different things or you are seeing things thru stereotypes, not reality.
You have no idea what you’re talking about. There are not 24/7 calls for help, food drives, blanket drives, etc., because the Japanese are already doing that, and WERE doing it, without any fanfare as soon as the dust began settling.
If you go to any kuyakusho or kaikan in any major city you will see sign directing people to the rooms where they can drop off their donated items. Those rooms are generally full floor to ceiling with overflow outside.
Right now, the refugees in the affected areas are starting to request other items because they have all the blankets they need. They are requesting things like disposable razors, toothbrushes, underwear and socks, because they have been wearing the same clothes since the event.
And as a 25 year resident of Japan, I can assure you I know damn well what I am talking about.
“And as a 25 year resident of Japan, I can assure you I know damn well what I am talking about.”
The Japanese have always been very willing to turn away from those that need help amongst them. It is their culture.
Glad to see you are OK.
Tet.
And you base that statement on what?
How many years have you spent in Japan? How many Japanese friends do you have? How much Japanese do you speak? Do you really know a thing about Japanese culture?
You talk about Japanese turning away those who need help amongst them, but I have NEVER seen that. There are a large number of social programs in place for both the elderly and the poor, and these program work. Most are community based, but the national government has a large number of programs as well.
The fact that there are people out there who need help, especially among men in their 50s and 60s who have found themselves homeless because of the economic downturn ignores one crucial fact. These men are too proud to beg for help from their friends, family or government.
Talk to any Christian group that has tried to administer to the “Japanese poor” and you’ll get the same story. They may take things that are offered, but they are too proud to beg so you pretty much have to chase them down, tackle them, and stuff it in their hands. Even then, they would much prefer to work for what they receive.
Thanks Tet! Interesting times...
Is it ever!
I miss Japan, was stationed at Iwakuni back in 67.
At the time I was young and stupid and didn’t
appreciate the opportunity I had.
Thanks, Ronin...
Thanks....that gives more indication of what is going on..
Ronald Reagan Crew Donates Personal Items to Japanese
http://www.cpf.navy.mil/media/news/articles/2011/mar/mar20_Reagan_Donation.shtml
There are a lot of Marines in Arlington that beg to differ with your descriptions of the Japanese culture and nothing has changed since 12/7/1941...
There's a new article at the Asahi Shimbun: Temporary housing construction begins in quake-stricken areas
From the Nikkei: Tax Relief On The Table For Disaster Areas
And here's one from the Yomiuri; make sure to read both the first section and the second section which is titled "Japan Post offers rooms at inns": Prefab homes being built for evacuees. (The latter is something that I have been expecting to read about: large Japanese organization usually have all kinds of housing, from worker housing to resort properties for their employees, and I am glad to see that some of those numerous properties will be used in the relief efforts.)
Thanks so much....I’m going to post that on my Facebook, too...
Look at These! posted by snowislander
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.