Japan – Nothing Speaks Louder than Quiet Calm

In the last few days the world has been overwhelmed by an inconceivable disaster unfolding in front of it. And yet as the images of the whirlpool over the epicentre, the wall of water pushing inland, large boats being smashed against bridges and fires ballooning from oil refineries there is one thing that really stands out – the still small voice of calm. The dignity and the fortitude with which the people of Japan have dealt with this catastrophe has been awe inspiring.

It was striking that the footage taken of the monsterwave crashing through the streets was accompanied by groans from the bystanders as opposed to the OMG shrieks now so common in the west. There was no panic, no wailing or beating of breasts, everyone, even the children, seemed to be prepared and trained in what to do and how to behave. There has been no looting, or public disorder.

The Japanese used multiple channels of communication to tell people what was going on and to help friends and relatives to find out what had happened to their loved ones. There are endless stories on how people are doing everything they can to help each other. An example of what I imagine a proper ‘Big Society’ to be.

The disaster recovery plan was put into action whilst the rest of the world watched aghast.

As the headlines in the West scream out about economic losses, nuclear fallouts and the threat of aftershocks, the Japanese are already starting to rebuild. The still small voice of calm is very powerful indeed.