No words could describe the Japanese great pain, loss, and despair when 9.0 earthquake struck on March 11, 2011, followed by a devastating tsunami that poured in from the sea which led to the long unpleasant stays in temporary shelters and the ongoing effects of the radiation leaks from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant.
At one point, about half million people were stuck in shelters, more than 26,000 people were missing, and the aftershocks, some over 6.0 kept on coming...
Yet, the Japanese have proven to be a civilization with exemplary behavior in time of a national crisis.
In the first week after the calamity...
Calm - survivors and citizens alike remained calm without showing any tears or wild grief, but burying their sorrow in silence. Only when they were interviewed, they quietly sobbed about their losses and misery.
Dignity - Long lines for water, groceries, and petrol. There was even a long queue for taxi at the Sendai train station on that very night of the dreadful earthquake and tsunami. No pushing, shoving to get ahead or even a harsh word.
Order - No looting in abandoned shops or houses. They acted morally and properly without the need of law enforcement.
Grace - No hoarding. People bought only what they needed for the present, leaving the rest for everyone else.
Conscience - When the power went off in stores, people put things back on the shelves and departed quietly.
Sacrifice - Tepco workers, policemen and firemen were willing to sacrifice their lives to the exposure of high radiation in order to pump sea water in the nuclear reactors.
Care - Neighbors helped each other. Restaurants cut prices. Donations of goods poured in from all parts of the country. Volunteers signed up to help.
The world has much to learn from them.
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