[UnnayanNews] No news inside big news : Why is there no looting in Japan?

[Siraj Shahjahan]

 Why is there no looting in Japan? A lawless atmosphere often follows
natural disasters. How has Japan managed to maintain order in the aftermath
of last week's earthquake and tsunami?
posted on March 15, 2011, at 10:08 AM
 [image: Japanese residents queue up in an orderly fashion outside a
7-Eleven; despite limited access to basic necessities, there has been no
widespread looting after the catastrophic Japanese earthquake and
tsunami.]<http://theweek.com/article/slideshow/213329/japans-crisis-faces-of-despair>

Japanese residents queue up in an orderly fashion outside a 7-Eleven;
despite limited access to basic necessities, there has been no widespread
looting after the catastrophic Japanese earthquake and tsunami. Photo:
Corbis SEE ALL 21
PHOTOS<http://theweek.com/article/slideshow/213329/japans-crisis-faces-of-despair>

*Best Opinion:*  Phillipine Star, American Thinker, Wash. Times

The chaos and theft that have followed many earthquakes, hurricanes and
tsunamis have been noticeably absent in the wake of Japan's 8.9-magnitude
quake. Instead, people have formed long, orderly lines outside grocery
stores, where employees try to fairly distribute limited supplies of food
and water. "Looting simply does not take place in Japan," says Gregory
Pflugfelder, an expert in Japanese culture at Columbia University, as quoted
by *CNN*<http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/12/orderly-disaster-reaction-in-line-with-deep-cultural-roots/>.
"I'm not even sure if there's a word for it that is as clear in its
implications as when we hear 'looting.'" How has Japan managed to avoid this
common after-effect of disaster? (Watch an Al Jazeera report about the
wreckage<http://video.theweek.com/video/Japanese-town-destroyed-by-tsun;Most-Recent-Videos>
)

*Discipline, discipline, discipline:* "The Japanese are now reaping the
fruits of having been taught, and drilled in, discipline and resilience
since childhood," says Federico D. Pasqual Jr. at *The Philippine
Star*<http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=666340&publicationSubCategoryId=64>.
In grade school, lunch is free, but often "spartan," and kids learn to
expect and deal with lean times. This unfathomable calamity is one of those
times, and "the instilling of that value or attitude seems to be paying
off."
"Japanese discipline rules despite
disaster"<http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=666340&publicationSubCategoryId=64>

*The Japanese are no strangers to hardship:* The easy answer is that the
"legendary politeness" of the Japanese people is simply shining through, says
Thomas Lifson at *The American
Thinker*<http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/03/why_the_japanese_arent_looting.html>,
but that's only part of what's happening. Japanese society has been honed
over generations into a system "capable of ensuring order and good
behavior." The country's "vast reservoir of social strength" carried it out
of "the devastation of World War II," and, compared to that, "even the
massive problems currently afflicting it" are "relatively small."
"Why the Japanese aren't
looting"<http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/03/why_the_japanese_arent_looting.html>

*Japan isn't superior, just different:* Japanese people are "taught that
conformity and consensus are virtues," says James Picht at *The Washington
Times*<http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/stimulus/2011/mar/14/where-are-japanese-looters/>.
To Americans, who prize individualism, "those virtues sound almost
offensive." In normal times, "concerns about appearance and obligation" may
be stifling, but in adversity they may be what trumps "the urge to smash and
grab." Japanese culture isn't "superior," it's just "well suited to
maintaining public order immediately after a major disaster."
"Where are the Japanese
looters?"<http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/stimulus/2011/mar/14/where-are-japanese-looters/>

-----------------------------------------
My Blog
No news inside big news in Japan
http://machizo.com/siraj/?p=249

Tsunami, earth quack and nuclear radiation in Japan are the big world news
of this week.  It is the biggest news for my life also as my wife is
Japanese from Fukushima. They are now staying in Japan and I in Bangladesh.
However our relatives are lives in Fukushima. My wife with two children were
 on the way of Fukushima on 11 March! God blessing in 11 March when my wife
just arrived in Narita , the earth quake and tsunami happen! The airline and
airport authority did not permit the passengers to go out from the airport.
They are in safe! After one day staying in airport with authority’s
hospitality, now they are living in Chiba in grand Mother’s house.

First days I could not contact with my wife and relatives. I was in tension
and praying. One phone call from wife with short message, I got new life.
 “We are safe in airport. The airline gives a blanket and food!”. Now I have
regular communication and talk with my son, Coronet. His broken Bengali
talking gives me new life vision and touch of God’s love!

By following the news at Western and Bangladesh media, I understand, how
wretched traditional big media presentations!   I am disappointed! I cannot
believe to Bangladeshi  media! Even I cannot believe to BBC, CNN like big
media for their mispresentation, own views and news making motivation.  the
situation is continuously developing but the Big Media’s trying to say
unchanging situation , however treat the reality as horrible situation. When
I got any new and negative news in Bangladeshi and western media, I need to
reconfirm with the news of NHK world and  taking with Japanese friends. In
all cases,  I got difference and negative approach to the non-Japanese big
media! I cannot understand, why the big media do big responsibilities!  This
is try, my moving with the subjective motivation, the big western  media
failed in Japan to make news and stories!

One of Japanese friend to day said, in Japan BBC trun back as they could not
make stories! They could not make the news because of Japanese good citizen
ship and well trained on public motivations.  Within the dangers of earth
quake, tsunami and radiation also the national Unity of Japan did not break
down! Even one citizen also did not complain against of government! They
have total faith to government! Government also trying to say the citizen
with total responsibilities!

I am surprised to know, in this big disaster also there did not happen any
kinds occurrence like robbery, stealing, rape, riot or violence!  Many
foreigners give testimonies with application of Japanese social norms and
moral practices. My imagination, if such type disasters happen in another
Asian counties like Philippines, Bangladesh, Korea or Malaysia what will
happen? My concept I cannot upgrade, surly there would happen many
unexpected occurrences!  Not only in the developing nations, in the
development nation like USA, UK, EU case also would happen dark stories.

During earth quake also Japanese don’t overtake each other with self
centeredness! The common learning of Japanese society, thinking and helping
others. With total obedientness  by following  the authority’s directions,
still Japanese society in hope! Now the situation is moving to under
control. The authorizes gives direction to take preparation for saving self
from possible earth quake! Every citizen should take  food and water
together. In this fearful time also Japanese did not loss the position. Did
not show power of muscles, fallen natures, selfishness. There is big line
for food  in front of  super markets, but no body break down the line for
quick own benefit; however take care voluntarily. In big line also citizens
are collecting food with modesty! There is no news of violence and conflict
!  I appreciative very much Japanese citizenship, education and daily
practices. Hope Bangladesh and other’s country will follow the Japanese
culture of unity, culture of public motivation.

My love and pray for the souls who lost their life during tsunami

NHK video at: http://www.youtube.com/user/nhkonline
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