Tsunami North-East Japan March 2011

The sense of order and patience shown by the hundreds of thousands turned into refugees by the tsunami has created abroad a profound respect and admiration for the Japanese people. It helps of course in the crowded circumstances of emergency accommodation that Japan is a crime-free society in daily life (though big crime there is a –plenty), and that people are invariably considerate and helpful to one another.

One should not assume on this evidence that the Japanese are a docile people. Japan for a century and a half at least has been a relatively egalitarian society. As a result, if an underlying sense of justice is offended, acquiescence cannot be taken for granted. The rice or food riots in 1918 or in 1787 show that people can in fact protest with violence (and in a lesser matter the ferocity of protests against the extension of runways at Narita airport thirty years or more ago springs readily to mind). In the handling of pre-1868 rural unrest, the sense of fair play was often in evidence. Ringleaders were punished, but officials often removed from office as authors of the discontent which led people to rise.

When Japan opened to the outside world in 1858, outsiders immediately observed the universal good order, freedom from crime and cleanliness. What is the origin of these qualities is harder to say. Confucian beliefs (but only among elites) to some extent and more pervasively Buddhist traditions may have contributed. But the same beliefs and traditions were not sufficient in neighboring counties to produce societies as orderly.

The remarkable and pervasive punctuality, with its implied consideration for others, is one of the results. Service workers will unfailingly keep appointments and come on time. In daily life these qualities make life easier for everyone. They become an even greater asset in a crisis like the present.

Commitment to duty has meant that in war time Japanese troops tended to fight to the last man, and in 1941-5 prisoners were numerous only in the very last stages, The rule of thumb in the west is that if losses exceed a third, even very good troops are ready to surrender. In reverse, as prisoners of war Japanese, pragmatically choosing to make the best of their bad fortune, cooperated loyally with their captors. As prisoners of war, westerners on the other hand were frequently obstructive and uncooperative, making life more difficult for themselves as well as for their captors.

These qualities, so beneficial in daily life, can however result in a rigid and unimaginative exercise of duties when officials take them to heart. At the outset of the big snow falls in Tokyo in January 1998 dozens of crowded evening commuter trains were thoughtlessly allowed to proceed and finally to end up marooned for 10 hours as signals universally turned to red. In the Kobe earthquake one customs official famously sought to quarantine the sniffer dogs a Swiss rescue team brought with them. Foreigners were less than impressed in the first days by evidence of routine observation of duties rather than an exercise of imitative and a sense of urgency to save lives.

A very real weakness of Japanese officialdom is overconfidence in their own organization and methods. Officials visiting California after the January 1994 earthquake there concluded that the same destruction could not occur in Japan. It did and the Kobe earthquake exactly a year later was devastating. Officialdom was unprepared for it . Apart from their misplaced confidence in the durability of new buildings and especially infrastructure , the rescue operation was shambolic because the demands had been entirely unforeseen.

The key failure in 1995 was that the cabinet in Tokyo had not the courage to call in the armed forces ( the Self Defence Forces) through respect for the constitutional requirements intended to keep the army in the background. Food, blankets and water were slow to reach the victims. One can hardly take pride in a natural dissster. But the tsunami in March has shown Japan at its best, the people cooperative and orderly , and the army and other rescue forces acting with the efficiency of which Japan is in fact supremely capable.


L.M. Cullen

Sakura Time Approaching

It's getting closer and closer to the cherry blossom season in Japan. Not forgetting about last weeks horrific tsunami and constant reminder of the thousands of people who have lost their lives, it is up to us to keep reminding the world how beautiful a country Japan is and how dignified and elegant the Japanese people are. Here are a few photo's of what to expect in the coming weeks. The cherry trees (sakura) will start to bloom in the south of Japan working their way up to the north - hopefully adding some hope and happiness to those left without homes.

Official Travel News Update

Read more on what the official tourist organisation is saying from Japan:

http://www.seejapan.co.uk/JNTO_Consumer/index.aspx

Press Release from JNTO:

http://www.seejapan.co.uk/JNTO_Consumer/Media/Press_releases/press_release_detail/11-03-21/Update_on_Japan_Earthquake_and_Tsunami_-_21_March_2011.aspx

World Health Organisation "not advising general restrictions on travel to Japan" read more.

Thinking of canceling your trip to Japan because of earthquake?

Although we realise people are concerned about traveling to Japan, we strongly recommend waiting a few more days until things have calmed down in the media and until Japanese Government and experts get the Fukushima Daiichi power plant under control. Already they have made huge progress. Remember, every hour is only one hour away from being safe to travel. So, hang in there and hold on to your tickets.

Q&A's

1. What will the mood be like if we travel?

Obviously Japanese people are deeply upset and shocked by what has happened to their people and country. However, they are very strong, determined people who will rebuild these areas in no time. We believe that the mood will be one of unity. The Japanese people have never been more proud of their people for getting through what they have had to get through so far. They are welcoming people back into the country and really need our help to boost their economy that will ultimately be spent on rebuilding the homes, roads, businesses that have been lost. Remember, most people travel west from Tokyo (to Kyoto, Osaka etc.). By avoiding going to Japan, the knock-on effect across the whole country will be seen. They need our support more than ever. So, we urge you to think twice before canceling your trip.

2. We were planning to go to Japan in April/May. Will this still be possible?

As soon as the problems in the Fukushima Daiichi power plant are resolved we expect peo

ple to start traveling again. The cherry blossom season is soon approaching. This is one of Japans busiest and best seasons. It really would be a shame to miss it and to turn away from the people of Japan now. Trains including the bullet trains in/out of Tokyo heading west are almost fully operational. Narita Airport access is operational. The only places out of action are those heading north. If you had Sendai or anywhere north and east of here on your plans for travel, perhaps you need to look into this. Contact us if you need more information.

If you have any more questions for us at Unique Japan Tours, add your comment/post to this blog.

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Bloggers at Unique Japan Tours

Tohoku Earthquake Appeal

Here at Unique Japan Tours we are devastated by the recent earthquake, subsequent tsunami, and now nuclear power plant problems the Japanese are experiencing. We are doing our best to accommodate all of our passengers and thankfully, none of our staff, family, friends, or customers have been directly affected by any of these hugely unpredictable and unprecendented activities.

We would like to bring your attention to the Ireland Japan Association - Earthquake Appeal fund that UJT has been involved in setting up. To make a donation, that will ultimately be sent directly to the people who need it most in the affected areas on the north east coast: Visit www.ija.ie