The Return to Japan

The great earthquake, tsunami and meltdown crises occurred while I was out of the country and cased me to delay my return for several days. Returning to Tokyo, I found that the city was a different one from the one I lived. There are few traces of the earthquake but the partial blackout that has been adopted by the civilians and municipality as one has changed the whole character of the world’s largest city. Gone are the neon lights that landmarked areas such as Shibuya and Shinjuku. Gone are the happy crowds out who filled the streets to overflowing for a night on the down. Gone are the groups of heavily dressed up girls giggling in front of Karaoke joints with flashing lights.  Tokyo in many ways reminds one of a city under siege. Though there is no real immediate danger to the city and little real damage, the city has undergone an immense change.

However, one has to admire the Japanese on their reaction and conduct. The government preaches the importance of preserving energy and everyone immediately buys into the idea in a big way. Companies turn off their lights and employees continue to work by the light of their computers. Conference rooms are lit by the light of a PowerPoint presentation. Escalators are shut down. When electricity is scarce it’s only logical to use the stairs. In a country that prides itself with its innovations, citizens and companies city wide are coming up with original ways to preserve energy.

Japan has just experienced one of the largest catastrophes of the modern era. They scale of the damage is almost impossible to absorb. Nevertheless the Japanese are a relentless people who will do everything in their power to move forward and make things right. The true Japan will return much faster than you imagine.

© 2011 Steve Taite. All rights reserved.
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