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Japanese disaster and emergency preparation is said to be the best on the world. On the ground level it probably is. They train, they have the plan, they have

Japanese disaster and emergency preparation is said to be the best on the world. On the ground level it probably is. They train, they have the plan, they have the gear, they are prepared. When the disaster or emergency actually happens the system tends to collapse like a deck of cards. Everybody in charge is just trying to look busy instead of solving problems. Fukushima disaster was a good example of this. Government officials didn't send messages or deleted information that was supposed to go to evacuation and health organizations because "information about radiation levels is unrealistic". Use of the word meltdown was forbidden so emergency response teams did not know there was a meltdown.

bamboozled 7y ago
That's because the worst thing you can do for your career in Japan is to disagree with a superior. So basically, if something stupid is happening, people will mostly just let it go.
- deleted 7y ago
  [deleted]
- rasz 7y ago
  Thats whole Asia in general. Korean Sewol disaster 'recovery effort' is another example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_A8dq2fA5o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_A8dq2fA5o
ilammy 7y ago
> Japanese disaster and emergency preparation is said to be the best on the world. My teacher said that Japan is apparently the best in the world at creating and maintaining impressions. I tend to somewhat agree.
hrktb 7y ago
> On the ground level it probably is I’d like to put emphasis on this. There is a huge disconnect between level headed, well prepared and truely heroic first responders, local communities, the general population reacting to a disaster; and the politicians and higher ups. Everybody knows what’s the right thing to do, and will do it when nothing stops them. But then you get the usual band of corrupt officials, incompetent C* level executives, between a rock and a hard place yes-man middle management. This disconnect makes any situation where the hierarchy (public or not) is getting bribed or needs to flee responsibility a catastrophic failure. Earthquakes are the fault of no one, and response is usually stellar. Nuclear meltdowns involve mismanagement, regulatory failings and design flaws so it becomes a shitshow in merely hours. Here in particular there is also the shadow of cancelling the upcomming Tokyo Olympic hovering about everyone’s head, making the govs choices even more opposed to what the population wants or needs.
- _bxg1 7y ago
  It feels like this phenomenon has spread to all corners of the developed world - both public and private - in recent decades. Just look at Boeing. Is there a real trend of institutional decay, or is it just that the internet gives us a clearer view of how much mess there is?
  - hatenberg 7y ago
    I would think that we just have come in full world full circle again after the last reset - WW2 - which saw an aftermath of power structures being rebuilt and people generally being in positions because of skill and how they distinguishes themselves. Now we are at a place again where power structures are mostly crony/inherited (just look at Trump) based on affiliation, loyalty and destiny and rarely due to skill or achievement. We all know how this eventually ends again too
    - bamboozled 7y ago
      I think about this too, it seems hard to find a competent leader. Look at the Australian PM during the bushfires, he was in Hawaii on holiday for a good part of it. Shinzo Abe, just seems at a complete loss on how to deal with this issue, the cruise ship thing was a complete debacle. Then most world leaders who matter seem to have trouble even comprehending climate change, ocean acidification etc. Yes it’s anecdotal, but it seems your right. We’re lacking real leaders and left with talking heads at the helm.
      - ASalazarMX 7y ago
        It's lamentable that these incompetent talking heads have a strong motivation to rule, since they see it as a validation of their worth. This generation of politicians has too many of them.
- keanzu 7y ago
  Lions led by donkeys is a phenomenon that's been around at least since WWI.

bamboozled 7y ago

That's because the worst thing you can do for your career in Japan is to disagree with a superior. So basically, if something stupid is happening, people will mostly just let it go.

deleted 7y ago
[deleted]
rasz 7y ago
Thats whole Asia in general. Korean Sewol disaster 'recovery effort' is another example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_A8dq2fA5o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_A8dq2fA5o

ilammy 7y ago

> Japanese disaster and emergency preparation is said to be the best on the world. My teacher said that Japan is apparently the best in the world at creating and maintaining impressions. I tend to somewhat agree.

hrktb 7y ago

> On the ground level it probably is I’d like to put emphasis on this. There is a huge disconnect between level headed, well prepared and truely heroic first responders, local communities, the general population reacting to a disaster; and the politicians and higher ups. Everybody knows what’s the right thing to do, and will do it when nothing stops them. But then you get the usual band of corrupt officials, incompetent C* level executives, between a rock and a hard place yes-man middle management. This disconnect makes any situation where the hierarchy (public or not) is getting bribed or needs to flee responsibility a catastrophic failure. Earthquakes are the fault of no one, and response is usually stellar. Nuclear meltdowns involve mismanagement, regulatory failings and design flaws so it becomes a shitshow in merely hours. Here in particular there is also the shadow of cancelling the upcomming Tokyo Olympic hovering about everyone’s head, making the govs choices even more opposed to what the population wants or needs.

_bxg1 7y ago
It feels like this phenomenon has spread to all corners of the developed world - both public and private - in recent decades. Just look at Boeing. Is there a real trend of institutional decay, or is it just that the internet gives us a clearer view of how much mess there is?
- hatenberg 7y ago
  I would think that we just have come in full world full circle again after the last reset - WW2 - which saw an aftermath of power structures being rebuilt and people generally being in positions because of skill and how they distinguishes themselves. Now we are at a place again where power structures are mostly crony/inherited (just look at Trump) based on affiliation, loyalty and destiny and rarely due to skill or achievement. We all know how this eventually ends again too
  - bamboozled 7y ago
    I think about this too, it seems hard to find a competent leader. Look at the Australian PM during the bushfires, he was in Hawaii on holiday for a good part of it. Shinzo Abe, just seems at a complete loss on how to deal with this issue, the cruise ship thing was a complete debacle. Then most world leaders who matter seem to have trouble even comprehending climate change, ocean acidification etc. Yes it’s anecdotal, but it seems your right. We’re lacking real leaders and left with talking heads at the helm.
    - ASalazarMX 7y ago
      It's lamentable that these incompetent talking heads have a strong motivation to rule, since they see it as a validation of their worth. This generation of politicians has too many of them.
keanzu 7y ago
Lions led by donkeys is a phenomenon that's been around at least since WWI.