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Personal Responsibility: Lessons From Japan

Guest post by: Michael Hume

Article Overview: Who knows how many lives will be lost to Japan's recent disasters before the final tally is taken? One of the most devastating earthquakes in world history, followed by a cataclysmic tsunami, along with danger from damaged nuclear plants... all enough to create crisis in any nation. Remember the ruin of Haiti in the wake of last year's quake? But every nation of the Earth, including the mighty United States, can take lessons from the character of the Japanese people in their struggle against the adversity they now face....

Personal Responsibility: Lessons From Japan

Character Conquers Calamity Who knows how many lives will be lost to Japan's recent disasters before the final tally is taken? One of the most devastating earthquakes in world history, followed by a cataclysmic tsunami, along with danger from damaged nuclear plants... all enough to create crisis in any nation. Remember the ruin of Haiti in the wake of last year's quake? But every nation of the Earth, including the mighty United States, can take lessons from the character of the Japanese people in their struggle against the adversity they now face.

The Earth shook, split apart, and ruined billions of dollars worth of Japanese property. But the people did not riot in the streets, demanding more from their government, or even threatening revolution. They seemed to realize that Mother Nature was responsible, not their fatherland. Would the same character have been on display in the hot spots of today's Middle East? Even Europe?

The seas rose and attacked Japan with a vengeance, sweeping away lives and livelihoods. But the people of Japan did not take advantage of the opportunity to loot and steal from each other. Instead, they busied themselves with rescuing each other, with looking out for the welfare of their neighbors. No looting!

In fact, one lesser-publicized story is that of a Japanese man who found ten bottles of water left in a local store. At first, he scooped up all ten bottles; but then, as if the thought that he'd be leaving others without the possibility of buying water occurred to him in that moment, he put back eight of the bottles and walked out of the store having purchased only two.

Would the same character have been on display in the streets of today's America? In places like Wisconsin?

"Looters," by the way, was the label given to those who practiced confiscatory policies in the imagined government of Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged." The movie is due out next month, and I can hardly wait. You need to see it. If it follows the book at all, it'll be a powerful story of the difference between personal responsibility that spawns entrepreneurship and victimhood that gives rise to a society's general failure and despair.

Finally, in multiple acts of sheer bravery and self-sacrifice, workers at Japan's nuclear power plants work around the clock to contain the risk of radiation danger in their country. The end of the story can't yet be written, but experts say the likelihood of large-scale nuclear disaster is low (despite what anti-nuke fearmongers continue to report). Japan's nuclear energy industry has taken the worst blow nature could deliver, and will likely be left standing. Would the same thing have happened at a nuclear facility in Europe, or China, or even in the United States?

It remains to be seen whether the global economy can survive the combination of current worldwide disasters, but Japan and its people most likely will. It's the culture of respect and personal responsibility that drives Japan which is to be credited with the country's survival. And it's the character of the Japanese people that deserves the attention of the world, and which should serve as a lesson to us all.

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Article Tags: entrepreneurship, health wealth and happiness, inspirational leadership, personal responsibility



Related Forum Posts
Re: New McDonalds McCafe concept... - Well.. it's probably not fair to contrast Japan work practices to the US. Their culture is so different over there - they have a much higher regard for doing things right, don't they? It's no accident that most of the Quality Assurance systems came out of Japan! I lived in Japan for a year... about five years ago. Of course I was in Misawa and never got to the big city of Tokyo...
Re: What would you do with $500,000 or less? - [quote="jvprosperity":2drqu5dg]David, how is Hiroshima? I've got it on my dream's list to visit Japan. I know it's expensive so when I do it I want to make sure money is not an issue. Do you have recommendations on how to visit Japan on a shoestring budget but still be able to take in all the history?[/quote:2drqu5dg] Actually, Japan is probably not as expensive as you imagine. Less expensive than Britain, for example, with much better service and no tipping. You can stay in very clean, modern "business" hotels for $35-$65 a night (at least that is the case in Hiroshima). Get a Japan rail pass before you travel to Japan. You can enjoy great meals for a reasonable price... Which places do you want to visit? What special things would you want to do? If you come to Hiroshima, I'd be happy to show you around!
Re: Hello from Atlanta! - Hi David, Thanks for the well wishes...same to you!! I see that you are in Japan. I traveled to Japan several years ago. Best of luck to you! Aneshia
Re: Why Did You Become An Entrepreneur? - You mean Freedom = Responsibility. Freedom and responsibility are two sides of same coin. But I like the word choice. Robert
Re: What would you do with $500,000 or less? - Thanks David, I don't have any recent plans to travel to Japan but $35-$40 a night is a steal! I'm really into the history of Japan - any countries history for that matter. I want to experience living the lifestyle of the past (sitting on a mat may be a challenge for me though).


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