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-   -   Fukushima - a disaster "Made in Japan" (http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23122)

Robert Cowham 11-14-2013 11:22 AM

Fukushima - a disaster "Made in Japan"
 
I came across this recently from a friend - it is from the 88-page executive summary of the Nuclear Accident Independent Investigation Commission's report presented to Japanese parliament:

Quote:

The earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011 were natural disasters of a magnitude that shocked the entire world. Although triggered by these cataclysmic events, the subsequent accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant cannot be regarded as a natural disaster. It was a profoundly manmade disaster - that could and should have been foreseen and prevented...

Our report catalogues a multitude of errors and wilful negligence that left the Fukushima plant unprepared for the events of March 11. And it examines serious deficiencies in the response to the accident by Tepco, regulators and the government.

For all the extensive detail it provides, what this report cannot fully convey - especially to a global audience - is the mindset that supported the negligence behind this disaster. What must be admitted - very painfully - is that this was a disaster "Made in Japan."

Its fundamental causes are to be found in the ingrained conventions of Japanese culture: our reflexive obedience; our reluctance to question authority; our devotion to 'sticking with the program'; our groupism; and our insularity.

(Chairman Kiyoshi Kurokawa)
(my emphasis)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18718486

The summary report:

http://www.nirs.org/fukushima/naiic_report.pdf

I have been doing some personal comparative research on understanding and pros and cons of Japanese and Western approaches to things, particularly Budo related.

I am interested in other people's thoughts on this.

Robert Cowham 11-15-2013 04:20 AM

Re: Fukushima - a disaster "Made in Japan"
 
To set the scene a little more, there have been various discussions on Aikiweb about the pros and cons of Japanese and Western approaches to learning and life, both as regards Aikido and other aspects. Summarising perhaps much too crudely, Western individualism vs Japanese consensus.

There are of course positives and negatives for both approaches - individualism can lead to selfishness, consensus can lead to not wanting to "rock the boat" as highlighted above.

I am looking to understand better both approaches, and how to combine their positives and reduce their negatives. This is for my own life, as well as researching and teaching Aikido and Budo.

Maybe this is too difficult a subject or seems too negative for discussion?

Peter Goldsbury 11-15-2013 05:27 AM

Re: Fukushima - a disaster "Made in Japan"
 
Quote:

Robert Cowham wrote: (Post 332255)
To set the scene a little more, there have been various discussions on Aikiweb about the pros and cons of Japanese and Western approaches to learning and life, both as regards Aikido and other aspects. Summarising perhaps much too crudely, Western individualism vs Japanese consensus.

There are of course positives and negatives for both approaches - individualism can lead to selfishness, consensus can lead to not wanting to "rock the boat" as highlighted above.

I am looking to understand better both approaches, and how to combine their positives and reduce their negatives. This is for my own life, as well as researching and teaching Aikido and Budo.

Maybe this is too difficult a subject or seems too negative for discussion?

Hello Robert,

I certainly do not see this subject as negative, but it is not an easy subject to discuss. And I believe that 'western' individualism vs. Japanese consensus is too simple a frame of reference.

Best wishes,

lbb 11-15-2013 08:27 AM

Re: Fukushima - a disaster "Made in Japan"
 
Quote:

Peter A Goldsbury wrote: (Post 332258)
I certainly do not see this subject as negative, but it is not an easy subject to discuss. And I believe that 'western' individualism vs. Japanese consensus is too simple a frame of reference.

Or perhaps "simplistic".

The subject isn't negative, but on this forum, it might be more productively discussed outside the context of Fukushima.


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