After The Japocalypse
I expect that most people will forget about the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan sooner than you may think. The terrible tragedy that the Tōhoku Earthquake left in its wake of destruction has imprinted frightening images of the force of nature and the threat of nuclear accidents. I am especially aware of this, since the Dutch are in a similar high-risk position. We have been fighting a war against the rising sea-level for hundreds of years now. The small size of our country and close proximity to England, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany and Denmark means that even if a nuclear disaster occurs in another country, we will probably suffer from its fallout. We are left at the mercy of nature and the regulation of other countries as well as our own, so the events in Japan should worry us.
However, I believe that we will soon forget about the Japocalypse. I suspect that Japan will rebuild so fast, that it will be the Asian equivalent of post-World War II’s reconstruction efforts in Germany: Wirtshaftwunder 2.0.
Even though there is a lot of low-tech industry in Japan, it is still an immensely technologically advanced country. They have the know-how and spirit to rebuild their country efficiently and to high standards. No other country has the kind of disaster management Japan has. The incredible work ethic and vigor of the disciplined workforce of the Asian world will help tremendously. Their culture of servitude could help propel Japan into a new age, a Japanese renaissance.
The construction of the Ark Hotel, a 15-story level 9 Earthquake-proof building, was completed in Changsha, China in only 6 days. In my country, this would take at least a year to complete. The Japanese cannot be compared to the Chinese, but this video is a testimony to Asian planning and work ethic that is deeply embedded in both cultures. It showcases how the Japocalypse could propel Japan into a renaissance: Wirthschaftwunder 2.0.
