“And as a 25 year resident of Japan, I can assure you I know damn well what I am talking about.”
The Japanese have always been very willing to turn away from those that need help amongst them. It is their culture.
And you base that statement on what?
How many years have you spent in Japan? How many Japanese friends do you have? How much Japanese do you speak? Do you really know a thing about Japanese culture?
You talk about Japanese turning away those who need help amongst them, but I have NEVER seen that. There are a large number of social programs in place for both the elderly and the poor, and these program work. Most are community based, but the national government has a large number of programs as well.
The fact that there are people out there who need help, especially among men in their 50s and 60s who have found themselves homeless because of the economic downturn ignores one crucial fact. These men are too proud to beg for help from their friends, family or government.
Talk to any Christian group that has tried to administer to the “Japanese poor” and you’ll get the same story. They may take things that are offered, but they are too proud to beg so you pretty much have to chase them down, tackle them, and stuff it in their hands. Even then, they would much prefer to work for what they receive.
>> The Japanese have always been very willing to turn away from those that need help amongst them. It is their culture.
Whether or not that is true, we are not Japan.