"Emptiness and Resignation Pervade the Japanese Organs"… How the Earthquake Changed the Country [Nichiyobi Nichibunka]

Historically Frequent Natural Disasters Like Earthquakes... Nature and Human Views of Resignation and Acceptance
Awakened Again by the Great East Japan Earthquake... 'Great Earthquake Recovery Plan' Also Established

Tension is rising in Japan following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that occurred off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture on the 8th. The fear of the so-called 'Nankai Trough Megaquake' is also growing. In fact, since Japan's very formation as an island began with earthquakes, it is truly difficult to think of this country without considering earthquakes. The Nankai Trough megaquake has been widely reported, so today I want to talk about something different. I will explore how natural disasters like earthquakes have influenced Japan.

A house in Osaki Village, Kagoshima Prefecture, collapsed due to the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that occurred on the 8th in the sea off the southeastern coast of Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. (Photo by Yonhap News)

Volcanic Island from Birth... 20% of Global Earthquakes Magnitude 6 or Higher Occur in Japan

As you know, Japan is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it a region with active seismic activity. Being a volcanic island formed at tectonic plate boundaries, it is also called an archipelago. Japan's land area accounts for less than 0.3% of the world's total, yet 20% of all earthquakes worldwide with a magnitude of 6 or higher occur in Japan.

Because of this, records of earthquakes can be found even in ancient Japanese texts. The earliest historically recorded earthquake was documented on August 22, 416, in the "Nihon Shoki" (Chronicles of Japan), describing an earthquake in the present-day Kansai region, Nara Prefecture. The first recorded earthquake damage dates back to 599. By today's standards, it was a strong quake of magnitude 7.0, similar to the one that struck Miyazaki Prefecture on the 8th. Although details about the epicenter were not mentioned, the text described damage such as collapsed houses caused by the earthquake.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, despite frequent earthquakes, there are not as many detailed records as one might expect. If houses collapsed and people were injured, one would think such scenes would be depicted in drawings, but surprisingly, detailed illustrations are scarce. This is also a characteristic of East Asia. Reflecting on our own history, when a solar eclipse occurred, it was believed that nature was angry and that the king was at fault. Similarly, in Japan, natural disasters were believed to be divine punishment. Therefore, those who tried to depict earthquake situations in drawings were often seen as people dissatisfied with the current leaders.

The same applies to volcanic eruptions. Think of Mount Fuji, which appears in traditional Japanese paintings. It is always depicted with a mystical feeling, with snow piled on its summit. In reality, Mount Fuji was an active volcano for a long time, including a major eruption in 1707 that covered entire villages with volcanic ash. Yet, there are hardly any paintings showing Mount Fuji emitting smoke or during a major eruption. The reasons are similar.

When Earthquakes and Tsunamis Strike, Only Ruins Remain... The Unique Japanese Emotions of 'Impermanence' and 'Resignation'

Because natural disasters occur so frequently, they have influenced the Japanese outlook on life. There is an interesting paper from Kobe Gakuin University titled "Disasters and the Japanese Spirit," and I will share some of its content.

Japan frequently experiences natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, and floods, and since disasters were considered 'punishment,' people traditionally thought that disasters were 'fate' or 'deserved punishment.' Therefore, they believed in simply accepting them. Underlying this is the Buddhist concept of 'muj? (無常),' meaning impermanence ? nothing in this world remains unchanged forever. Thus, clinging to anything is meaningless. Even if one is happy now, tomorrow is uncertain, and even if a city is thriving, it could be wiped out by an earthquake in an instant.

Accordingly, the Japanese developed a unique view of nature: gratefully accepting its blessings and not resisting but adapting to the disasters it may bring. Terada Torihiko, a Japanese physicist and essayist, said, "Japan is a land where earthquakes and floods are frequent and extremely difficult to predict. This natural feeling of impermanence has become a genetic memory passed down from ancestors, permeating the very organs of the Japanese people."

On January 3rd, firefighters are rescuing and transporting residents in Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, which was affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake. (Photo by Yonhap News)

This also connects to social ethics. When major earthquakes like the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred, foreign media noted that Japan was a country without looting or disorder. Even during disasters, people tend to remain relatively calm. While this may be partly due to familiarity with earthquakes, it is also analyzed as a unique Japanese social ethic.

What if a perfectly healthy person suddenly loses their life due to a natural disaster like an earthquake? This is an unreasonable death without any fault on the individual's part. There is no grudge or conflict; a person living diligently suddenly dies due to a natural disaster, which is hard to accept. One might think, "Why me?"

However, in Japan, if the village where one lived collapses due to an earthquake but another village suffers less damage, or even if the disaster causes few casualties, the victim could be oneself or someone very close. And such events happen frequently. Where can one find a reason for this? Nowhere. Is there a place to protest? No. Is there someone to blame? No. One must accept it as it is. Among survivors, a feeling of 'resignation' develops.

Therefore, even when sudden situations arise due to natural disasters, there is little excitement or anger directed elsewhere. The calm demeanor observed is largely due to this, according to Kobe Gakuin University's interpretation.

The Great East Japan Earthquake Witnessed in the 21st Century... Changing Japan Once Again

One reason the fear of the Nankai Trough megaquake is so intense is that Japan has not yet fully recovered from the scars of a previous major earthquake ? the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. With a magnitude of 9.0, scenes of the Fukushima nuclear plant explosion and tsunamis engulfing towns were broadcast live worldwide, delivering a huge shock. Everyone realized that even in an advanced civilization, humans are helpless before natural disasters.

The Great East Japan Earthquake had a profound impact on Japan. According to an NHK public opinion survey, 80% of the population felt anxiety about major earthquakes after the disaster. Among them, 55% said they 'somewhat feel' the possibility of a major earthquake, and 25% said they 'feel it very strongly.' Additionally, 60% of those living in coastal areas expressed concern about tsunamis.

Otsuchi Town Hall in Iwate Prefecture destroyed by the tsunami. (Photo by NHK)

One notable change after the disaster was in Japanese views on marriage. The kanji character of the year in 2011 was not 'disaster (災)' nor 'quake (震),' but 'kizuna (絆),' meaning bonds or connections. While often translated as 'fate' or 'affection,' it more accurately refers to a bond tied like a string. It became a word that described how people helped, saved, and overcame difficulties together at the disaster sites, with not only Japanese citizens but the entire world participating.

On March 11, marking the 13th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, residents of Sendai, Japan, are praying in remembrance of the victims. (Photo by Yonhap News)

Did this revive hope in humanity? Before the Great East Japan Earthquake, only 27% responded that 'marriage is natural' when asked about marriage views, but immediately after the earthquake, this rose to 38%.

However, a more pessimistic atmosphere also strengthened. In the NHK survey on faith, the number of people answering 'I believe in nothing' increased significantly after 2011.

The Next is the Nankai Trough Megaquake... Plans for Reconstruction Are Being Made

Finally, we can talk about the recently occurring Nankai Trough megaquake. The Nankai Trough is a long oceanic trench stretching from Shizuoka Prefecture in central Japan to the eastern waters of Kyushu. Megaquakes have occurred here every 100 to 150 years, and now that cycle has come around again. The Japanese government predicts a 70-80% chance of a megaquake occurring within 30 years. They expect a magnitude 8 to 9 earthquake, with an estimated 230,000 casualties.

What is noteworthy are the towns expected to be directly hit by the Nankai Trough megaquake. Local governments in these areas are already planning how to rebuild their communities after the earthquake. They are discussing whether to reconstruct houses in tsunami-affected areas or build new ones on higher ground, and how to allocate temporary housing sites. The experience from the Great East Japan Earthquake, where such coordination took a long time and reconstruction was delayed with population outflow, has been taken into account. For example, in Kochi Prefecture, which would suffer tsunami damage if the Nankai Trough megaquake occurs, coastal villages were required to submit reconstruction plans by 2027.

Tsunami advisory issued due to a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that occurred off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture on the 8th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has requested all local governments nationwide to prepare such reconstruction plans, but as of the end of July last year, only 2% ? 30 local governments ? had completed them.

This temporary information is issued when abnormal phenomena are observed in the Nankai Trough and will be lifted if no further impact occurs within a week. However, the day after the earthquake off Miyazaki Prefecture in the Nankai Trough area, another earthquake occurred near Kanagawa, close to Tokyo, heightening anxiety. Although the two earthquakes occurred on different tectonic plates and did not influence each other, panic buying at supermarkets and convenience stores in Tokyo suggests that people's unease is not easily calmed.