"The worst rail accident in Japan since a three-train crash killed 161 near Tokyo in 1963." You think this would create a buzz?
Anywhere else but Japan.I did not hear about the accident until monday evening when a family member emailed to ask if I was allright, of course I was, I was at the office with 50 or so other Japanese workers and 5 foreigners when the accident occurred. In a country where telecommunication is one of the best if not the best in the world, someone must have gotten the news, but as is tradition here..If its bad keep it to yourself.
It was not until last night when a colleague brought it to mind that no one at his school has mentioned the accident and the tradegy that followed, that I realised that no one is talking about it, not even teachers who have found a variety of ways to discuss the weather just so they can practice thier english
Its almost like, if they dont acknowlege it, it did not happen so there is no cause for concern. If they are to acknowlede that someting may be wrong with the railraod, they may be late for work and that is unacceptable.
6o million people use the railway services daily and most of them have chosen to be blind, deaf and dumb about the events that took the lives of more than 70 of thier neighbours.
Brings me back to an incident not so long ago. Morning rush hour and a depressed individual decided to call it quits with life with teh help of the spedding train. I was surprised at the response, there was no evidence of pity or sadness, more anger and sense of why now? could they not find a more convenient time in the day...I am goign ot be late for work. I have to call the office. The ketais came flipping and the excuses were made and like now there was no discussion among the commuters---I dont speak much Japanese but empathy and sympathy felt.
Anywhere else on earth, it would come up in some conversation, someone please tell me, what is it with Japan? Is it a teaching? Is it written somewhere how to deal with these incidents or are these people just cold or just repressed?
Anywhere else but Japan.I did not hear about the accident until monday evening when a family member emailed to ask if I was allright, of course I was, I was at the office with 50 or so other Japanese workers and 5 foreigners when the accident occurred. In a country where telecommunication is one of the best if not the best in the world, someone must have gotten the news, but as is tradition here..If its bad keep it to yourself.
It was not until last night when a colleague brought it to mind that no one at his school has mentioned the accident and the tradegy that followed, that I realised that no one is talking about it, not even teachers who have found a variety of ways to discuss the weather just so they can practice thier english
Its almost like, if they dont acknowlege it, it did not happen so there is no cause for concern. If they are to acknowlede that someting may be wrong with the railraod, they may be late for work and that is unacceptable.
6o million people use the railway services daily and most of them have chosen to be blind, deaf and dumb about the events that took the lives of more than 70 of thier neighbours.
Brings me back to an incident not so long ago. Morning rush hour and a depressed individual decided to call it quits with life with teh help of the spedding train. I was surprised at the response, there was no evidence of pity or sadness, more anger and sense of why now? could they not find a more convenient time in the day...I am goign ot be late for work. I have to call the office. The ketais came flipping and the excuses were made and like now there was no discussion among the commuters---I dont speak much Japanese but empathy and sympathy felt.
Anywhere else on earth, it would come up in some conversation, someone please tell me, what is it with Japan? Is it a teaching? Is it written somewhere how to deal with these incidents or are these people just cold or just repressed?
1 comment:
i think you must have been living in a bubble.
this crash was by far the most important recent news item in japan and it dominated tv news channels and the front pages of all newspapers, as well as being the main topic of conversation with almost everybody i crossed paths with.
are you sure you live in japan?
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