Japan: Exemplary civilization in crisis

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.

---

Song for Japan: We Shall Overcome

As Japan faces its dismal aftermath of the horrific devastation in the northern part of Honshu, one song comes to mind for all the Japanese as they face a multiple of crises caused by earthquakes, tsunami, the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, and now radiation leak.

For all the Japanese victims, survivors and citizens, here's the powerful lyrics of the song that can lift your spirit: "We Shall Overcome"

"We Shall Overcome" - adaption from Charles Tindley's gospel song "I'll Overcome Some Day" (1900).

We shall overcome
We shall overcome
We shall overcome some day

(CHORUS:
Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome some day)

We'll walk hand in hand
We'll walk hand in hand
We'll walk hand in hand some day

(CHORUS)

We shall all be free
We shall all be free
We shall all be free some day

(CHORUS)

We are not afraid
We are not afraid
We are not afraid some day

(CHORUS)

We are not alone
We are not alone
We are not alone some day

(CHORUS)

We shall overcome
We shall overcome
We shall overcome some day

---

Japan: A trend of heart-felt giving

It's heartwarming to read story after story of anonymous donors under pseudonyms give from the heart to the needy and the underprivileged children in Japan. It appears to be an inspiring trend of spreading material wealth, love, and good cheers among the Japanese.

So far, over 300 anonymous donations as charity gifts ranging from school bags to food, and even cash have appeared at facilities for underprivileged children and at public places under the names of cartoon heros since the Christmas season to almost 100 locations across Japan.

Donors identified themselves under different names - Date Naoto: a cartoon pro wrestler, "Tiger Mask", who uses part of his earnings for anonymous donations to the orphanage where he grew up;  Yabuki Joe, a working-class cartoon boxer; Momotaro: a Japanese folklore "peach boy" hero who beats up terrible demons; and Kimottama-Kasan, a TV drama heroine.

Even cash is left at times with a note: "Do not think of bad things, have a pure heart and be encouraged in all manner of good deeds."

What a wonderful way to start a new year!

---