Japan disaster, no looting? Do we in the west need to re-evaluate our opinions of Japanese society?

[Shoggoth2588]

My qualms on Japanese society are more based on those vending machines.

The ones that vend hot, individually packaged hamburgers or, the ones that dispense underwear? Or the dresses that can be lifted to simulate vending machines?

OT: I find it kind of weird that they can survive a triple-whammy disaster (Earthquake, Tsunami AND potential power-plant meltdowns) without the kind of lootings Americans engage in after certain sporting events.

 

[Smokej]

But then maybe the Japanese have 'grown up' since then. The same way the Germans have. We British are no poster children for treatment of other nationalities in the past either.

Well to be honest as a German speaking if such a disaster had struck one of the major cities, there would have been definitely some looting and riot. Those cities are cultural and ethnic melting-pots like in Britain or France. The apparatus of state might be very efficent in coordinating a big scale rescue operation but bear in mind that certain parts of the population aren't really interested in being a part of this country and therefore aren't really a part of the consent of values and morales of this society. And those include interest in the public good, something vital to withstand such a crisis with the necessary human dignity.

 

[SamElliot'sMustache]

-snip-

the difference between searchers and looters I always thought was straightforward, Is the building they search rubble? and if it is, did they own this location before it was rubble.
Same in games, you search your own bag, you loot dead enemies

Yes, that is the key difference, but the incident [http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/resources/educational/teachable_moments/katrina_2_photo.cfm] which I am referencing, both were doing the exact same thing (taking, and not buying, food from a grocery store), but were worded differently to make the whites seem innocent and the blacks seem scary and dangerous.

 

[Moriarty70]

Dear Fox News and other Knee-Jerk Reactionaries,

You saw what happened in Japan, right? Have you noticed how they aren't freaking out, looting, attacking their authority figures, and rioting? You remeber how after events like Katrina U.S. citizens did all those things the Japanese aren't? Think you might want to take back some one that comdemnation you threw at the country over "RapeLay"? No? Okay, just thought I'd ask. Figure you'd have realized who has more respect for living people. Don't worr about it.

Sincerly,

Someone who understand the difference between fantasy and reality.

 

[RivFader86]

I don't think the japanese culture is weird...it's different and we "westerners" aren't really used to it so it can be a bit of a culture shock but i don't think weird is the right word. Every culture has their own customs that might seem alien to those who experience it for the first time or even scratch their head because they don't get it after years. A good recent example would be carnival in cologne which was a week ago...you have hundred thousands of people standing in the streets for hours in silly costumes getting completely shitfaced listening/singing along to music 98% of the people wouldn't listen to more than 5 mins the year round while people walk past them throwing candy ;P
How's that for weird? ;P

Spoiler

 

[ph0b0s123]

I don't think the japanese culture is weird...it's different and we "westerners" aren't really used to it so it can be a bit of a culture shock but i don't think weird is the right word. Every culture has their own customs that might seem alien to those who experience it for the first time or even scratch their head because they don't get it after years. A good recent example would be carnival in cologne which was a week ago...you have hundred thousands of people standing in the streets for hours in silly costumes getting completely shitfaced listening/singing along to music 98% of the people wouldn't listen to more than 5 mins the year round while people walk past them throwing candy ;P
How's that for weird? ;P

Spoiler

I have actually been to one of those when working in Germany and thought it was awesome, but that's me.

Dear Fox News and other Knee-Jerk Reactionaries,

You saw what happened in Japan, right? Have you noticed how they aren't freaking out, looting, attacking their authority figures, and rioting? You remeber how after events like Katrina U.S. citizens did all those things the Japanese aren't? Think you might want to take back some one that comdemnation you threw at the country over "RapeLay"? No? Okay, just thought I'd ask. Figure you'd have realized who has more respect for living people. Don't worr about it.

Sincerly,

Someone who understand the difference between fantasy and reality.

Yep, that's exactly the kind of western attitude I was talking about. I can forgive stuff like rapelay if when it comes to real people we see the kindness being demonstrated here. Not just be individuals, but by corporations as well. That's what is important not the other stuff the likes of FOX news like to jump up and down about with Japan.

 

[mooncalf]

I don't remember who said it, but natural disasters bring out the best in people - the first time.

 

[S-Unleashed]

You guys want looting to happen? Haven't they suffered allready?

 

[RivFader86]

I don't think the japanese culture is weird...it's different and we "westerners" aren't really used to it so it can be a bit of a culture shock but i don't think weird is the right word. Every culture has their own customs that might seem alien to those who experience it for the first time or even scratch their head because they don't get it after years. A good recent example would be carnival in cologne which was a week ago...you have hundred thousands of people standing in the streets for hours in silly costumes getting completely shitfaced listening/singing along to music 98% of the people wouldn't listen to more than 5 mins the year round while people walk past them throwing candy ;P
How's that for weird? ;P

Spoiler

I have actually been to one of those when working in Germany and thought it was awesome, but that's me.

yeah of course it all depends on personal preference (and afterall the people there aren't beeing forced to be there and are having a blast ;P) i was born here and grew up here and i still can't stand it.
But my point is that no matter whether you like it or not you can't argue the fact that it can seem very weird to some people.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Thought the victorian times was everyone had to have loads of annoying manners about everything. Why couldnt our culture just have frozen then.

Because not everyone is a well off heterosexual white male. Victorian values only applied to a very select group of people.

 

[Calcium]

You guys want looting to happen? Haven't they suffered allready?

Arn't we all commenting on how good it is that there's been no looting? Who wanted looting to happen?

 

[Smooth Operator]

Well you just haveto understand the culture is very different, people are very constrained and to them breaking rules is a huge social taboo, while we tend to boast about all the sh*t we can get away with.

We mingled with with Japanese exchange student a couple of years ago, and while we were telling our "cool" stories how we disobey parents, get drunk, smoke,.... they were utterly bewildered and simply didn't understand why anyone would want to do those things.

But it does seem these constraints cause frustration that bursts out on their pervy side, Japanese girls say it's quite common to get felt up in crowded areas or even fingered, and none of those animes can do without crotch / boob / ass shots...

 

[FamoFunk]

From what I understand, Japanese society and culture is based largely around strict manners and respect, so most Japanese people wouldn't think about looting.

This is pretty much what I would of summed it up to be.

I have nothing by respect for the citizens of Japan in the way they've delt with this awful disaster.
I don't think any other country would handle it as well as them.

 

[ph0b0s123]

One thing that may change after this disaster though, is Japanese people's trust that their Government is always straight with them. How that will affect the other good things we have discussed in this thread, I have no idea.

 

[misty55]

From what I understand, Japanese society and culture is based largely around strict manners and respect, so most Japanese people wouldn't think about looting.

Good points

 

[bushwhacker2k]

If there's truly no looting then I think manga might need to update, every other one I read seems to show Japan as some kind of hell where children all become knife-wielding psychopaths upon entering middle school and it only goes down from there.

Just saying.

But if they're truly not looting and it isn't from some "shoot looters on sight" thing then I'm surprised and impressed.

Did people expect looting?
-snip-

In most other countries when disaster hits and supplys are short you normaly see looting. Was it obvious that this would not happen in Japan. Shops cutting their prices also seemed to be something that would not happen elsewhere.

So it begs the question, why is Japan different and is there something we can learn. And should we give Japan's supposed weirdness more respect than we do?

Japan is a very obediant society. I did not expect looting.

The issues with Japanese society are to do with other, equally damaging, issues. Such as their ageing population, lack of initiative, xenophobia etc etc.

I wouldn't say they're better, but they're VERY foreign.

I wouldn't hesitate to say just about every culture is xenophobic to an extent, and I don't know about the aging population or lack of initiative.

Also... a FOREIGN culture being... FOREIGN!? Surely the sky will rain fire in about 5 minutes...

 

[Uncreation]

We look down on Japanese society here?

I sure haven't noticed. There's a few cultural phenomenoms that we make fun of, sure, but that's true with every country.

Yeah, i haven't noticed that, as well. What are you talking about OP? Personally this does not surprise me at all. I'ts just how i always thought the japanese would react to something like this.