Orderly public reaction in face of the worst earthquake in Japanese history

Dr. Yuk-Ching Hon

15 March 2011

I think Japanese social attitude and community spirit will help the country recover from the disaster.

I'm really impressed by the calm and orderly public reaction to the worst earthquake just happened in NE Japan. The media reported almost no looting & scuffles for food or services which often come in the wake of disaster in western countries. Remember New Orleans.

On television we saw orderly queues forming in front of supermarkets for food, at reopened subway entrance and petrol stations. There are no lootings, I think, because in Japanese culture, violence and taking what belongs to other are simply not culturally approved or supported. On the whole, most Japanese have a deep sense of responsibility to the community so even in the face of emergency, personal interest or looking after no.1, simply doesn't feature in their mind. Whereas in the west or America, with the emphasis on individual freedom and self-interest, a lot of people do everything they can to protect their own interest with the understanding that everybody else is going to do the same.

Here's a lesson to be learned from the Japanese model! It won't be easy but have to be done for a more peaceful society.