The article by Pico Iyer at New York Times (3/22/2012) seems to say "Nothing has changed about Japan, only better". The author says he's been living around Kyoto for the past 25 years:
...The 9.0 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown that hit the country on March 11, 2011, claimed almost 20,000 lives, overturned an economy that had already been foundering through 20 years of recession, and demoralized a citizenry dealing with one suicide every 17 minutes, a loss of direction, and what is now seven prime ministers in fewer than six years.
Yet it also highlighted the resilience, self-possession and community-mindedness that are so striking in Japan; suddenly, the country that had seemed to insist on its difference from the rest of the world could be seen in its more human, compassionate and brave dimensions. Japan has long been what the globally savvy magazine Monocle called, in a recent issue, “The World’s Most Charming Nation”; now it is also one of those most grateful for visitors.
You can read the entire article at the link.
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Japan Tourism Agency can't be happier.
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21 comments:
Japan is world's top in children and youth suicide rate...
http://www.japantoday.com/category/kuchikomi/view/childrens-depression-and-suicide-a-worsening-problem
Pico Iyer is lost too
Fucking bullshit. Cretin.
"Dalai Lama", thank you for your in-depth and well penned remark. You must be a really nice person. Wonder how many people find such comments useful?
The New York Times, the "grand old grey lady", with "All the News That´s Fit to Print", also was promoting seafood from the Gulf of Mexico - right after the BP Oil/"Core-Exit" fiasco. The NY Times has seen better days, when they actually had journalists, instead of propaganda slaves. Seems like this `grand, grey, old lady´ has been spending too much time on her back, with her legs in the air.
"They" want Japan, normally a unified nation (with a powerful identity and culture), to easily submit to the so-called New World Order. "They" also want all economic allies of the U.S., like Japan, taken down. Then the fall of United States will come more easily... Or so "they" think.
I too was surprised by this article in the NYT, and more surprised by the comment section---nearly everyone had expressed their desire to return to Japan, eat sushi, and their complete lack of concern over radiation. If they really like Japan, they will stay away from here...I am starting to believe that a complete boycott really is the only way to create enough gaiatsu to change the ludicrous decisions being made by the govt and open the eyes of the people...
Please, everyone come - I am leaving.
This week I was made aware of another baby born with a congenital heart defect. This makes two in my small circle of friends.
Then there is the miscarriage last fall and the one I found out about last night. All of the moms were of this camp that all is fine good and dandy, and they did not heed warnings about contamination in the food. You see where we live the contamination levels are considered very low, so all is fine. NOT.
I can't think of a country killing children more than Japan is doing now.
I just told my kids and husband that we are now in the Darwinian war.
Only the ones who learn lessons from the past mistakes and use brain can be the fittest to survive.
The ones who refuse to do so, especially because radiation is invisible, deserve the health consequences from traveling to Japan so soon after 3 of the reactors in one of the world's largest nuclear power plant blew up in the country that is smaller than California.
Jake Adelstein said the best Fukushima coverage, including the alternative media, was from the reporters of the New York Times & the Guardian [I can't get through typing w/o cracking up]
It is 11:30am here and I am yet to hear an ambulance racing somewhere today. I will later as I always do. Saw a person collaspe right in front of me eyes yesterday. Not quite sure where people like this author get info on Japan.
I knew Pico Iyer when he lived at the (in)famous ISE dorm in Kyoto in the 80s. He may be a good writer, but he's a also snooty little ***** who burned a lot of bridges with people (not that he cared) during his time there. His ego and narcissism far outweigh any talent he has, so offered the chance to publish in the NYT he'll know what to say and will say it....or rather did.
'more human, compassionate and brave dimensions` DELUSIONAL!
Of course nothing has changed. That's why we are seeing all those continuing problems. "Only better".
Never trust anyone who is in the same place for too long. There is an automatic conflict of interest when not being able to move elsewhere, physically or mentally. One year later, those who stay have a strong motivation to say how everything is groovy.
My comments above re Pico were a rather unkind, but he has that "smarter than thou" attitude and since he became well-known his head's bigger than ever (this is not at all unusual among writers who've "made it" of course).
Add to that the above observation about conflict of interest--I've tried to warn numerous non-J friends about the danger of living in Japan (I've left aside from trips back to handle business) and most of them get upset or cut me off with a "I don't want to hear about it" statement. And most have kids.....
THE WORLD'S MOST CHARMING WORDS
Sorry to again go off-topic, but is there not anyone here that finds the words, "Fucking bullshit. Cretin", a little needless? Or do you all think that such insults are useful and add something to the general tone of the debate?
"Fucking bullshit. Cretin"
Is this The World’s Most Charming Comment?
"Fucking bullshit. Cretin." Nice!
""Fucking bullshit. Cretin"
Is this The World’s Most Charming Comment?"
No. World's most charming comment award goes to the Finnish troll with his "DIE DIE DIE" rant aimed at Arevamirpal and everyone here. It's hard to beat that one.
These comments break my heart. If you live in Japan try to drink a little orange juice or eat something with some vinegar in it or even sip a little alcohol. It is not a cure but any amount of radiation that you are able to chelate out of your body can't hurt and may over time help some. Japan is in my prayers daily.
KSB, just shut up and stop insulting people in Japan. Better yet, go away.
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