Last weeks had been rather discouraging for me, because it seemed to me that in general news have become so bleak in Japan. Instead of what could be done, from my perspective the common mood is how bad the situation in regard to Japan got and that it might get worse. Where did the optimism or hope go? So far I had assumed that I must be wrong, but I stumbled today upon a recent poll done by the Pew Center’s annual Global Attitude Project (700 telephone interviews between March 20 and April 12). According to the Asahi Shimbun the poll showed widespread pessimism: Some 78 percent of the people are unhappy with the direction of the country, and 93 percent perceive the economy to be in a bad state. This figures are shocking for me and I am at loss with words.
Last year after the disaster Japan was more optimistic. Most people hoped this awful tragedy could be turned into something positive: 59 percent believed the disasters would make Japan stronger. Now a year later only 39 percent still hold that view and almost half of the population 47 percent believe the disaster has made the country weaker.
Furthermore the general public has a very low opinion of the government and the media. Only 12 percent see the central Japanese government as having a positive influence on the country, while present Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is viewed positively by only 30 percent. As for the media, only 34 percent see a positive impact, while the majority with 63 percent have a dark outlook. For me interesting is that instead of seeing increased grassroot activities, the general public is expecting others to take the way. Based on the comment of Asahi Shimbun:
“In the wake of the disaster, distrust of the government and mainstream media has grown amid the perception that authorities were not being forthright with the public – and that the media outlets weren’t doing enough to investigate or hold authorities accountable.”
Interestingly I have heard this viewpoint quite often this year in discussion with Japanese. I find a lot of people yearning for change, but when I ask directly about what they have done on a personal level I get a confused look back. It seems commonly understood that it is better to wait for a “leader”, who will tell what is best to be done next. Starting on a personal level seems out of question.
I hope a taxi driver was recently joking when he asked me to lead Japan to change. I strongly believe if Japanese society wants lasting change it has to come from within and not from an “outsider”. Time has moved on and a Black Ship will not make any changes these days.
Brought to you by Sibylle Ito (伊藤シビル)
Sibyll, these statistics showing Japanese citizens very downcast about their country’s leadership and economic situation is similar to statistics on these issues in the United States! And look at the European Union! This is a global issue!
I live in Tohoku that took the main hit from last years Great Eastern Earthquake and what you wrote in your blog is very true. The government and the media are not to be trusted and people in Tohoku are looking for a real leader to show the way. Being a self-starter and enterprising person my whole life, I have taken on a volunteer sprit and claimed my little corner to do something. Just by doing something for the past several months, others in my neighborhood are also starting to do something instead of being told what to do and how to do it. There is still hope, but it is not coming from the government, but from the people who want change. Sometimes the nail does not get hammered down.
Dear Denny,
thank you for taking time to comment. Hearing you gives me some hope that there are still enough people, who are not happy with the status quo and just try to change what is within their power. Little steps can already make a huge difference!
Wishing you lots of energy and luck! We are thinking of you.
Sibylle
P.S. If there is something I could do to support you and your neighbours, do let me know!