Japan heroically fights out of catastrophe
As the sea violently ripped away, Japan was amidst a tragedy of
unfathomable proportions. Its extraordinary toll-from-earthquake,
tsunami and nuclear hazards brought immediate response worldwide. Sri
Lankans empathized remembering the fallen in 2004.
The Japanese people are heroically shrugging off the bad omens and
see their nation in a more positive light-desperation has given way to
hope and exuberance. They are beginning to believe in revival.
As bodies were washing ashore along the coastline, the capacity of
local officials was tested to the limit, Japanese did not panic. The
toll seemed to rise to over 20,000 lost or missing.
Destruction caused by the tsunami in Japan. Picture
courtesy: Google |
The country’s unprecedented nuclear disaster and the nation’s stock
market plunge had become what Prime Minister Naoto Kan described as
Japan’s worst crisis since World War II. Yet they stood solidly strong.
The situation in Japan had been dour, particularly so in the last 20
years, during the prolonged recession after the economic bubble burst.
Prime ministers fell continuously, policies stalled; and political
cynicism grew.
String of calamities
In fact, after the Kobe earthquake in 1995, the government response
was so incompetent that it received strong criticism from the people.
This time, the situation is different: the voices of support began to
come amidst adversity.
Yukio Edano, the chief cabinet secretary and the spokesman for the
rescue efforts, had become an Internet hero, and rescue efforts by the
Self-Defense Forces received praised. Buoyancy began to trickle in.
Japanese PM Naoto Kan |
What had been a harangue of doomsday predictions,
incompetence-indecisive and selfish actions, muddled with complaints and
bickering turned into more positive appreciation of government effort.
The Japanese are boldly trying to defend the nation together, as if
they are an inspired people. Analysts have stated that the Japanese
people seemed to have completely transformed their kyara (character).
Transformation was amazing
Prior to the quake, Japan was a little timid worrying about its
eventual decline. People expected very little from the nation, and the
mutual help across generations and the trust in local communities were
crumbling.
The catastrophe spurred them on; the experience helped them plant to
rebuild a society bound together with a renewed trust. While many may
still harbour doubt and become their indecisive selves, the experience
of discovering the inner strength and patriotic selves would not go away
for most Japanese.
The foreign media in particular caught calmness and moral behaviour
of the Japanese aced with the disaster-something even the Japanese could
not believe. Many are feeling a little bit embarrassed that they had for
a moment felt downbeat.
Immensity of the disaster
To put things into proper perspective the immensity of the fight back
350,000 people have reportedly been left homeless and are staying in
shelters, awaiting news of friends and relatives. The US Geological
Survey revised to a magnitude of 9.0, from 8.9-one of the severest in
recent memory.
The disruptions to Japan’s $ five trillion economy, the third-largest
in the world, and collective nervousness over the incapacitated reactors
brought a steep fall in the Japanese stock market that reverberated
across the region on-it lost 13 percent in one particular day. The Bank
of Japan had to inject a record $183.8 billion into the economy to
maintain liquidity.
TV images of around marooned boats and liquefied houses, floating
toys, bedding, tangled fishing nets, pieces of cars, toilets or pottery,
and all the residuary remnants of daily life shocked everyone.
Japan can ride this out and extend the country’s resolve. It would be
a great recovery to come out of the current calamity, but also from the
stagnation and despair of the last two decades. They are up to it. Sri
Lankans wish them well. |