The Crisis in Japan

It has been a week since the Japanese were hit by a triple disaster, a powerful earthquake, an earthquake triggered tsunami that destroyed large swaths of the northeastern coast and a tsunami triggered nuclear crisis.


There is some frustration and anger, but the level of social and civil disintegration that we saw with Katrina, particularly in New Orleans, is lacking. I understand that both at home and at school the importance of putting the community and one’s neighbor above self is instilled. As a result in these disasters the underlying national character of the Japanese is clearly evident, enduring the unimaginable with grace and dignity, quietly working together to assist both friends and strangers, and in moments of crisis being mindful to follow instructions in an orderly manner.

We can learn from their example.