Its admiration and prayers for Japan
I've always admired the Japanese. And that feeling grows. Amidst the destruction, Japan's still holding it together as a nation of people who care for each other. Reports on no looting post the devastation is pointer to the nation's admirable character.
Note what Ed writes, 'And solidarity seems especially strong in Japan itself. Perhaps even more impressive than Japan’s technological power is its social strength, with supermarkets cutting prices and vending machine owners giving out free drinks as people work together to survive. Most noticeably of all, there has been no looting.'
Or Kay, 'This writer asked why there was no looting -- perhaps it was a rhetorical question. My father worked for a Japanese bank for many years and I spent several summers working there as well as a college student. Banking didn't take for me as a professional career choice, perhaps much to my father's dismay, but I learned a great deal in the process.
The employees who had come over from Japan displayed humility, quiet dignity and a determination to honor their families by doing a good job. That one word, honor, seems to dictate the behavior of the Japanese culture. They value the young, the old, their educational achievement, career goals and family. Not that there aren't a few bad apples in the bunch, but crime statistics tell a pretty accurate tale. In Japan, it would be a stain not only on the reputation of an individual who decided to loot, but a shame that the whole family would have to bear.'
Though the images beamed into our homes are limited, the grief we get to see is dignified. There's even determination that seeps through from the collective grief we witness. There's no screaming or bawling. Only a quiet acceptance of what's happened. Maybe its the culture. The Japanese seem to accept this tragedy and know the need of the hour is to care for the living, and how they'll build their lives.
Japan stands testimony to what a nation's character must be like. There's so much other nations can learn. For the moment though, its about how others can help. Its also time for prayers.
On a personal note, praying for Japan. And taking pride in its character.
Note what Ed writes, 'And solidarity seems especially strong in Japan itself. Perhaps even more impressive than Japan’s technological power is its social strength, with supermarkets cutting prices and vending machine owners giving out free drinks as people work together to survive. Most noticeably of all, there has been no looting.'
Or Kay, 'This writer asked why there was no looting -- perhaps it was a rhetorical question. My father worked for a Japanese bank for many years and I spent several summers working there as well as a college student. Banking didn't take for me as a professional career choice, perhaps much to my father's dismay, but I learned a great deal in the process.
The employees who had come over from Japan displayed humility, quiet dignity and a determination to honor their families by doing a good job. That one word, honor, seems to dictate the behavior of the Japanese culture. They value the young, the old, their educational achievement, career goals and family. Not that there aren't a few bad apples in the bunch, but crime statistics tell a pretty accurate tale. In Japan, it would be a stain not only on the reputation of an individual who decided to loot, but a shame that the whole family would have to bear.'
Though the images beamed into our homes are limited, the grief we get to see is dignified. There's even determination that seeps through from the collective grief we witness. There's no screaming or bawling. Only a quiet acceptance of what's happened. Maybe its the culture. The Japanese seem to accept this tragedy and know the need of the hour is to care for the living, and how they'll build their lives.
Japan stands testimony to what a nation's character must be like. There's so much other nations can learn. For the moment though, its about how others can help. Its also time for prayers.
On a personal note, praying for Japan. And taking pride in its character.
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