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Japanese culture is one of harmony, survival

By Kenkichi Nozaki, M.D., Ph.D.
Neurosciences, Division of Adult Neurology

If your image of Japan is of an economic giant with numerous workaholics, you are a little bit biased and old fashioned.

Recently, younger generations associate Japan with its sub-culture, such as manga (cartoon) or anime (animation). Japanese culture has been known to attract many people in the world. For example, it is impossible to discuss Impressionism in the late 19th to early 20th century without considering the influence by Japanese culture. (Paul Cezanne would be the only painter who was immune from it.) The essence of Japanese culture may reside in its keen sense for natural beauty, which is a product of it having four seasons and such variety in its natural landscapes. For Japanese, the natural environment is one with which they live in harmony. Reflecting that is haiku, a form of Japanese poem. It is the shortest form of poems in the world and consists of only 17 moras in three phrases (5-7-5 moras). The main theme of haiku is the beauty of the natural environment. Actually, writing haiku-style short poems with entertaining natural beauty is a trend all over the world, especially in Europe.

Mount Fuji, (the photo was taken before the earthquake) is located in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and is 62 miles from Tokyo. The highest building in Japan is only 60 stories high.

If your image of Japan is of an economic giant with numerous workaholics, you are a little bit biased and old fashioned.

Recently, younger generations associate Japan with its sub-culture, such as manga (cartoon) or anime (animation). Japanese culture has been known to attract many people in the world. For example, it is impossible to discuss Impressionism in the late 19th to early 20th century without considering the influence by Japanese culture. (Paul Cezanne would be the only painter who was immune from it.) The essence of Japanese culture may reside in its keen sense for natural beauty, which is a product of it having four seasons and such variety in its natural landscapes. For Japanese, the natural environment is one with which they live in harmony. Reflecting that is haiku, a form of Japanese poem. It is the shortest form of poems in the world and consists of only 17 moras in three phrases (5-7-5 moras). The main theme of haiku is the beauty of the natural environment. Actually, writing haiku-style short poems with entertaining natural beauty is a trend all over the world, especially in Europe.

Earthquake in Japan
Japan is located in the West end of the Pacific Ocean facing the Eurasian continent, where four different plates (Pacific, North American, Eurasian and Philippine plates) meet. Gradual insertion of a plate below the other is released suddenly, which causes an earthquake. Its location exposes Japan to earthquakes more frequently than any other country in the world.

Interestingly, frequent attacks by natural disasters (mainly earthquakes and hurricanes) affect the mentality of Japanese and its culture, in association with the basic idea of Buddhism that "everything on the earth is transient and subject to decay." Traditionally, most of the Japanese buildings are made in wood, which enables them to rebuild quickly after being destroyed by natural disasters. Few foreign visitors notice (or even are disappointed by) the simple designs or simple decoration of historic buildings in Japan, even in a palace or castle, as compared to those in other countries.

Source: New York Times

Modern buildings are carefully designed, not only to resist, but also to absorb earthquake shocks. When you go to Tokyo, you may have different impressions compared to other cities in the world, such as New York, where skyscrapers abound. Actually, the highest building in Japan is only 60 stories, which is much shorter than those in other industrialized countries.

In addition, various trainings for earthquake are frequently held in many schools and communities in Japan. Japan is probably the most well prepared country in the world for earthquakes, but…

Its aftermath and future
On March 11, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake hit the northeast part of Honshu, the largest island in Japan. It was the strongest earthquake in Japanese history and the fourth strongest one in the world since 1900. The earthquake caused a tsunami (high surge waves). Although the officially recorded highest tsunami associated with the earthquake was 30 feet, it is estimated it actually was 50 to even 100 feet, causing serious damage, especially on the Pacific coast of Japan. More than 13,000 people were killed and 15,000 people are still missing. During the first week after the earthquake, more than 400,000 people were compelled to live in camps.

In addition, Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant was seriously damaged by the tsunami. Recently, the Japanese government declared its damage as level 7 (major accident) by the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale. Using this scale, the Three Mile Island accident in 1979 was level 5 and the Chernobyl accident in 1985 was level 7. Based on the level, the evacuation area will be extended from 20 km (12.5 mile) to 30 km (18.6 mile) radius from the nuclear power plant.

In order to fix the seriously damaged nuclear reactors, many technicians, firefighters and soldiers have been involved despite the risk of their lives. Although "Fukushima 50" is well known, it is said that more than 800 people have been involved.

Surprisingly, the people who suffered damage from the earthquake, tsunami or the nuclear power plant accident manage to still keep order and help each other. The people and the government of Japan spend every effort to help those who suffered from the disaster recover from the damage. So far, many countries have offered various aids. Among them, the contribution by the United States is tremendous. It performed the operation "Tomodachi" (meaning friendship), by sending military troops into Japan and 10 naval vessels, including aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan.

The U.S. also sent nuclear power plant specialists. We highly appreciate the support from the U.S. and other countries.

The cost of damage caused by the earthquake is estimated around $300 billion. It will also take at least 10 years to recover from it. It may take decades to cease the nuclear reaction in Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. You may wonder whether it is possible for the Japanese people to recover from the damage or whether they will give up. No, we never give up, and yes, we will, and we must recover from it. Considering the degree and amount of the damage, however, continuous international support is required longterm.

Following is a list of organizations that accept donations and distribute them to damaged areas in Japan. Any amount of your support will help those who lost their loved ones or suffered from the disaster in Japan.

American Red Cross—http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main

Japanese Red Cross Society—http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/relief/l4/Vcms4_00002070.html

Japan Society in NYC— https://www.japansociety.org/japan_earthquake_relief_fund

Japan Medical Society of America—http://jmsa.org/latest/earthquake-relief-fund.html

Editor's note: The Global Health page focuses on raising awareness of international issues through an academic venue. E-mail globalhealthnews@musc.edu.


 

Friday, April 29, 2011


The Catalyst Online is published weekly by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. The Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to The Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.