OK, I just have top point out.
Yakuza = NOT honorable!
Same with the illicit “Soap Works”, kiddy porn, drug culture, etc.
Japan has many if not most of the same issues we do.
They also have access to criminal “persuasion” techniques that would be unconstitutional here.
Beating to gain a confession is legal and not unusual, FEAR can be a factor in most remaining demure in the face of disaster.
I visited Japan several times in the 80’s, I personally installed their very first “Voicemail” system.
The Japanese are generous host, they can be great business partners.
But in reality their morals are just not the same as ours.
A mistress is a sign of success, intellectual theft is not so much a crime but being caught at it is.
Evening drunkenness is a national pastime.
I also quickly learned they are often incredibly arrogant, to the point of risking their careers over trivial assumptions.
I enjoyed my trips there, it’s unlikely I will ever go back only due to expense and having no legitimate reason to return as I no longer work in electronics.
I hope my old working partner Kenji Sagusa, his wife, and mistress are all OK.
I also hope the Yakuza mobsters do not take too much advantage of the situation, skimming from the rebuilding, etc.
The Japanese have experience with this type of disaster, they will clean it up and rebuild.
“...often incredibly arrogant, to the point of risking their careers over trivial assumptions.”
An example, please?
I worked with Japanese companies in NYC for many years. They were very good to work for - no fights, no raised voices, generally very polite and, of course, hard-working.
But after work, they would hit the bars and the whiskey drinking was OUT OF CONTROL.
But I pray for the people of Japan during this disaster.