Thursday, May 05, 2011
The Problem With Japan...
I don't wish to be a "typical foreigner living in Japan," by hurling non-stop verbal abuse upon a country that's been rather good to me and my circumstance. I love Japan, It's my home -- or at least my second home. Of course it must also be noted, considering the time proximity, that they've endured some horrid circumstance, this year in particular.
Like all countries, Japan has flaws and weaknesses. I've often speculated on the basic reasons for the many defects that appear to me in daily life in Japan and I believe I've narrowed them to a specific issue.
The people of Japan are willing to tolerate inconvenience and inefficiency. That's it, in a nutshell. The economy, the bureau cluster-f...s found everywhere from garbage disposal to getting a driver's license; they all stem from a very compliant population that is more than willing to accept inconvenience and inefficiency. It's no wonder that the translation for a common response to negative circumstance here is, "it can't be helped." America, with all it's flaws, has a noteworthy and contrasting manner that sees the attainment of convenience, efficiency, and personal pleasure as a guiding principal of existence. "It can't be helped" American style is, "what's the problem and why isn't anyone working on a solution...and if they do, that's where my money is going."
Japan is just too damn nice for them to continue to allow a downward spiral because they've been lead to believe that individuals barely exist before a contrived allegiance to bureau-decrees and inept drones. May they overcome this fatal weakness.
