Orderly disaster reaction in line with deep cultural rootsThe layer of human turmoil - looting and scuffles for food or services - that often comes in the wake of disaster seems noticeably absent in Japan. “Looting simply does not take place in Japan. I’m not even sure if there’s a word for it that is as clear in its implications as when we hear ‘looting,’" said Gregory Pflugfelder, director of the Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture at Columbia University. Japanese have “a sense of being first and foremost responsible to the community,” he said. To Merry White, an anthropology professor at Boston University who studies Japanese culture , the real question is why looting and disorder exist in American society. She attributes it largely to social alienation and class gaps. "There IS some alienation and indeed some class gaps in Japan too but violence, and taking what belongs to others, are simply not culturally approved or supported," White said in an e-mail. Pflugfelder is in Japan for a conference and has witnessed the calm response in Tokyo firsthand. Tokyo is hundreds of miles from the 8.9-magnitude earthquake’s epicenter and the widespread devastation. Pflugfelder was inside the National Diet Library when the earthquake struck. “The fact that the library decided to let people stay an hour and a half past closing time was one of the first things that made me realize the scale of the disaster because that kind of departure from schedule, from the norms, is quite unusual,” he said. The orderly lines that formed when the subway reopened around midnight also made an impression on Pflugfelder. “Such social order and discipline are so enforced in ordinary times that I think it’s very easy for Japanese to kind of continue in the manner that they’re accustomed to, even under an emergency.” The communitarian spirit at the foundation of Japanese culture seems to function even more efficiently under the stress of disaster, he said. The natural American inclination is to operate independently. “So you do everything you can to protect your own interests with the understanding that, in a rather free-market way, everybody else is going to do the same. And that order will come out of this sort of invisible hand. “And Japanese don’t function that way. Order is seen as coming from the group and from the community as a sort of evening out of various individual needs.” Will this social attitude help Japan recover from this disaster? "In a word, yes." |
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“This Just In” is CNN's news blog. This is where you will find the latest news and information from CNN’s correspondents and sources around the world. We’ll cover fresh stories big and small – stories that are breaking, developing or otherwise driving the collective daily conversation, along with some items we find interesting and worth sharing. Our main blogger is Mallory Simon of CNN.com, with major assists from the staff of the CNN Wire and colleagues around the network. Recent Posts
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This is only one of the reason why Asians are the best.
I think you'll find a similar spirit of cooperation if you review stories about the flooding in the Upper Mid West a few years ago, as well as the Nashville flooding. Hmmm, those folks don't seem Asian, but those areas also aren't particularly 'diverse'.
In another news article CNN has reported empty shelves in Tokyo, attributed to alleged hoarding/over-stocking of food by the citizens of Tokyo fearing food shortages.........so much for the thinking of community and oneness! I am an asian (south-asian rather) immigrant in the US and am always amazed at the orderly way American board the buses and trains. So, lets not try to generalize.......whatever happened in post-katrina does not imply that Americans are selfish and self-centered. Individual American citizens are the biggest contributes to charities world wide. Hope that conveys something to this news writer.....whoever he/she is.
I guess this just means that they are more respectful of one another, not only that but they are also meaningfully well off that nobody has to behave in a misguided manner.
That’s a good thing, but the article is attributing all the credit for selective cooperation strictly on a cultural basis. The sense of nationality that most individuals feel toward their country in time of disaster is not racial or entirely cultural, it’s Nationalistic. Its nationalistic when the citizens of a country bond together besides differences to fight against injustice as in Egypt recently; its nationalistic for citizens to find their common bond and fight against slavery within their own countries such as in West African nations; nationalistic to rebuilt Germany after WW2, nationalistic to rebuild America after 911, and bush (lol). It’s common nature to look out for your neighbor and to say differently means that the writer of this article needs to take a second look and maybe stop feeding the “selfish monster.” Words have power.
This story is borderline 'racist' in some sections by implication and the comments on here including the ladies comment about diversity in the midwest are blatantly 'racist'.
I myself believe people's behavior is more closely linked to HOW they are raised and their environment rather than the minute genetic differences that we use to separate ourselves into "races" and "ethnicities" whatever the f that is supposed to be... When aliens from another planet arrive on Earth I'll reconsider your ignorant comment about "diversity".
Asians? Including Koreans and Chinese? What have you been smoking? Have you ever been to those countries?
After the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake which destroyed most of Tokyo, there was complete chaos and lawlessness which led to the massacre of 1,000s of Koreans and other minorities.
True, but then, the military police and the imperial government intentionally spread rumors about
rioting Koreans and communists in the hope that that could deflect people's frustration.
It was a really ugly incident, admittedly, but it was not spontaneous "chaos" per se in that the government
was scheming to create it.
Jeff do u having some sources to back it up. I cannot find anything on the internet.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1923_Great_Kant%C5%8D_earthquake#Post-quake_massacre_of_ethnic_minorities
Ace, You will find a important piece of history that Jess has mentioned on above link.
A few other articles if you are interested:
http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?menu=c10400&no=320400&rel_no=1
http://dl.lib.brown.edu/kanto/denewa.html
there is a truth to that...check this out - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1923_Great_Kantō_earthquake
heartwarming to know they have a culture of fraternity. lessons to stake stock.
Hate hate hate hate hate hate hate. Can you guys just quit it for once?
we are living in one world.
lol, on the *internet*? You want people to be respectful of this horrific tragedy...*on the internet?!*
I think they should be very proud of themselves for their earthquake engineering, can't imagine how many more people could have died, but this is a long way from over.
they are human and they respect being human ...I hope they recover as quick as possible ..
Well said.
wowsers. impressive.
I didnt know such ignorant and rascist animals even followed the news. I am suprised you can even read or write. Say something constructive or please just keep your opinions to yourself. I understand that to have the freedom of press is to have the freedom of stupidy. Its people like...........
"didnt"
"rascist"
"suprised"
"stupidy"
"Its"
Remind me who can and can't write. I'm getting confused!
Callin' racist folks stupid an ignorant, sayin' they can't read an are no better than animals... Sounds like it's own form of bigotry. You lookin' fer someone to hate, an you just picked the most socially acceptable target. Fer shame.
UNITY IS STRENGTH.
That is good to see. Thanks goodness they do not have Obama as their prime minister. And the libs. It would be anarchy
Because *your* way of life MUST BE *my* way of life! Right?! No, I can't make my own decisions, I have to conform to *YOUR* rules, right?
No, anarchy isn't caused by Obama...it's the stupid mentality of people who think a sitting President is the cause of every ill in the world that causes anarchy.
I can!
"After the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake which destroyed most of Tokyo"
I would guess those people are dead, or very very very old, and will not be participating in any new riots.
@Justin, sadly some people just can't let go of things even generations later. Reminds me of the idiots in Afghanistan who think they still need to fight the Crusades.
I admire anyone who can maintain civility in the face of such a tragedy. What courage! Best wishes for a speedy recovery from this horrendous event.
they believe in CAUSE and EFFECT. . . .understanding that every negative cause produces negative effect.
Why does it always come down to the "racist" card? Why can't you all accept the fact that at least in this instance people are behaving like human beings and not animals?
Animals are instinctive. Some animals also show empathy in distress too like crows elephants and apes monkeys. We should not be proud that we show civility in such situations. It is expected of us by the nature.
I live in New Orleans and was unfortunately here after Katrina hit. It was a scary, horrible time, brought on by utter lawlessness, perpetrated by people who do not believe in any social order. "What's mine is mine, and what's yours should be mine too. Give it to me."
It amazes me to see these people conducting themselves with such dignity in the face of this nightmare. My heart goes out to them.
Thank you, Carmela and the others, for recognizing that grace and compassion is color-blind.
Based on the Author's first statement, I believe they should read "A Paradise Built in Hell". Most disasters bring out the humanity in everyone and that should not be overlooked. The media likes to portray things that will catch attention and ratings.
"The layer of human turmoil – looting and scuffles for food or services – that often comes in the wake of disaster"
Americans are for the most part stupid, fat lazy retards. They let corporations walk all over them. There will be revolution in the US at some point or they will just eat themselves to death.
there is only one reason there isn't any looting.... No blacks..
hey, I'm white and I like to steal too, U Biggoted troglodyte, I wish I could steal your Klan robes as I am out of toilet paper.
Pflugfelder and White make some interesting points, although taken out-of-context for a 400-word article they seem, perhaps, a bit overstated.
Only this place is peaceful, and I think that the riot occurs if it is Tokyo and Osaka.
Hell, Americans kill and trample each other to buy useless consumer goods on Black Friday. We're a nation of me, me, me, and until we end that phenomenon, it will continue.
PLEASE STOP ALL THIS.Let's for the human lives lost.
PLEASE STOP ALL THIS.Let's pray for the human lives lost.
The same nationalism lead to horrendously brutal treatment of the Chinese. I'm surprised that the level of community and cooperation that actually occurs in US disasters is completely dismissed while confirmation bias runs through this article like a razor. Oh God .. Katrina .. because that is the ONLY disaster and is completely representative of Americans.
I think "alienation" is the key factor here. But not specifically economic alienation. Here is Asia, people feel like they are part of one community and actively seek to gain recognition from others. In the USA, there seems to be a history of excluding members of the community, such as Blacks, Hispanics, Italians, Irish, Muslims...etc..Since these groups feel they are outside of the dominant community they don't feel guilt about causing destruction to their own society. However, I think you would see just as orderly response from other, less-divided, Western countries. You don't see rioting in Canada or Germany.
The people of Louisiana need to take note of how the people acted instead of looting and destroying
God hates dolphin killers.
And people hate you.
I writing poor English.
Thank you world supporter!
下手な英語で書き込んでいます
世界中からの応援ありがとうございます
地震が日本を終わらせるって言うのなら、まずはそのふざけた幻想をぶち殺す
It is because it is more efficient to stand in a line rather than it scrambles. Although there was an earthquake even in Tokyo, the person who escaped during the meal at the restaurant also returned, and the charge was paid.
Poverty =Looting
Once again more solid and obvious proof that race is a factor in such situations. I bet the libtards are really scratching their heads to explain this one.
That's because there's no black people
They know, if I wait in the queue ,I will get food and supplies certainly.
For everyone's conditions is same.
They aren't do useless action. That's all.
with the name Ali. I would hope that you are not a Muslim. Because if your are you should not be speaking in such a tone about any people that Allah has created. Just thought that you may need a reminder. If you are a Muslim
Please don't singled out a specific race, breakdown of morality happens with asian, middle eastern, whites, etc. etc.....too, a persons actions is his or her responsibility, not because he or she happens to be black. I am Asian and not all of us are good in math.
u mad?
Katrina is not a place, it is the name of the hurricane that affected New Orleans.
Let's just hope the people suffering from these catastrophes will be able to get back to normalcy asap. We don't know where or when the next earthquake, major hurricane, etc will strike.
I think NASCAR is on Doug, why don't u go pop the beer, kick the cat, beat the wife and kids, make love to ur mom, slump back in your lazy boy, and enjoy the show.
You took the words right out of my mouth.....
It seems U R blaming someone else for your unwillingness to help, U "judge" a large group of people based on the actions of a few, and if U have any religion U should know "judging" another person is wrong, U have no Idea of their motivations or life experiences.
It has more to do with understanding the social contract. Reminds me of the book "Lord of the Flies". Do they make kids read books any more at school?