[AmericanInTokyo]

It is more out of a social structure and sense of social obligation (allegiance to the GROUP for the greater, larger good), that allows the Japanese in general, with a few minor exceptions, to sublimate personal issues, wants and desire and impatience, and be more 'other' centered. There is little mentality of 'entitlement'. Thus, they have a much much longer shelf life of patience in these kinds of disastrous things, and generally don't come unglued like we are seeing in New Orleans. It is not so much Buddhist or Shinto temperment, as it is 'Japanese village culture' (shudan dotoku) of not being self-centered and selfish, but rather, self-reliant, cooperative, respectful of authority and it's orders, and full of pride, obligation, brave in the face of discomfort and pain, sense of 'face', loyalty and honor (and shame at the risk of ostracism, if one decides to do wrong). The ghetto morality in the United States is almost the opposite. It is in precisely doing WRONG and acts of extreme selfishness, then one is "included" and not ostracized and one must be evil and tough and even menacing to survive at times.

[Palladin]

Thank you for the explanation. You must enjoy living among such people.

[Smogger]

It is more out of a social structure and sense of social obligation (allegiance to the GROUP for the greater, larger good), that allows the Japanese in general, with a few minor exceptions, to sublimate personal issues, wants and desire and impatience, and be more 'other' centered. There is little mentality of 'entitlement'. Thus, they have a much much longer shelf life of patience in these kinds of disastrous things, and generally don't come unglued like we are seeing in New Orleans. It is not so much Buddhist or Shinto temperment, as it is 'Japanese village culture' (shudan dotoku) of not being self-centered and selfish, but rather, self-reliant, cooperative, respectful of authority and it's orders, and full of pride, obligation, brave in the face of discomfort and pain, sense of 'face', loyalty and honor (and shame at the risk of ostracism, if one decides to do wrong).

Is this the culture that allows Japanese to bury Chinese up to thier heads and run them over with tanks, march US troops to thier death, commit suicide at the highest rate in the world, or the culture that makes largest and most voracious market for prostitution in Asia? Just curious...

[Frank_2001]

Informative post. Thank you!

[Siobhan]

... it is 'Japanese village culture' (shudan dotoku) of not being self-centered and selfish, but rather, self-reliant, cooperative, respectful of authority and it's orders, and full of pride, obligation, brave in the face of discomfort and pain, sense of 'face', loyalty and honor (and shame at the risk of ostracism, if one decides to do wrong).

Excellent comparison to the image opposite on display in New Orleans.