Japan: Why The Sun Will Rise Again

 

On March 11 at 2:46pm Japan was hit by a 8.9/9.0 magnitude earthquake. While the country has built up and trained for earthquakes this one was a monster, unleashing a massive tsunami upon this island nation. The destruction was both immediate and horrific. Yet, it could have been worse had the Japanese people not been Japanese. This post celebrates the Japanese character and to highlight that glimmer of a silver lining in hopes of encouraging those affected and to share the lessons with the rest of the world.

Having grown up in Japan I know that it's lands are alive and tumultuous. Typhoons, volcanoes, earthquakes and finally tsunamis are realities you learn about early on. As kids in rural America have tornado drills we would have earthquake drills. I recall countless typhoons, a few minor earthquakes where I lived, the massive earthquake in Kobe, and a eruption of a volcano while in Japan. But never in the scale that it is now.

What doesn't surprise me, however, has been the amazing reaction and actions since the disaster by the people of Japan. This is what my friends in Japan and I would like to share with the rest of the world.

This is my translation of a post my Maiko Ida, a business analyst who was struck by the reporting of foreign media of the crisis. An inside out look of how the foreign media helped her see and appreciate her culture during this crisis.


" This is my comments after watching the foreign media's reporting of the earthquake in Japan. I am struck by the praise that we are receiving for what to us is obvious and normal behavior. The foreign media has noticed and helped us as Japanese realize how special and different our culture is. Our spirit of unity and the ability to always think of others before ourselves, and the willingness to lend each other a hand. It gives me renewed pride in being born in this country.

(This is quotes from CNN and BBC re-translated back from Japanese that she quotes on her page)

"The miracle of the Japanese people has been that had this disaster happened in any other country the death toll would have been several times higher. Considering the 5mins warning of an earthquake 500x the strength of the Haiti earthquake the evacuation and response was amazing. This country is ever ready."

"One of the worst recorded earthquakes attacked one of the world's most prepared country. Though there were many who parished, no other country could have responded any better. Japan is blessed with a culture that can manage it's emotions and react when it counts."

"After a disaster in many countries convenient stores and grocery stores would close for fear of looting. In Japan, however, not only did they remain open but acted as a support system for the wary yet well behaved people finding their way back home on foot."

"In grocery stores where the isles where toppled and littered with fallen items and debris, people who came in looking for food helped pick up the items off the floor and put them back in place. Then after collecting what they needed they stood in line patiently and paid for their items. In a crowded commuter train recently running again an elderly man gives up his seat for a pregnant woman. The foreigner (reporter?) watching the scene was lost for words."

There are many more messages and comments of this nature coming in from the foreign media. I will continue to deliver these messages to you as soon as possible. Thank you very much, Maiko Ida"

In a time of disaster and heartache I believe it's good to spread the little stories of good that people are creating around them selves. Here in New Orleans, as well as everywhere else, there is an overwhelming sympathy for those affected. This is a city all too familiar with disaster. There is another message of goodwill that people are sending to Japan, which started in this city. Dear World, Write Our Future is a New Orleans based non-profit that uses photography to spread messages across the world. If you would like to send a message to Japan, please check them out!

I have teamed up with a local retailer, Jean Therapy, to turn the design above into a t-shirt to raise money for Japan. We have teamed up with NOLA Japan Quake Fund to donate the money directly to Japanese NGOs for long term re-building of Japan. Please join our project's Facebook page (facebook.com/togetherforjapan) and website TogetherforJapan.org to read about our project and to check out the t-shirts!