What Did We Learn from the Fukushima Heroes?

  The first thing the Fukushima heroes taught the world is that Japan and the West think in a radically different manner when it comes to heroism. In fact, Western newspapers baptized these men and women as heroes. However, in Japan, they showed a certain contempt for them and didn’t see their sacrifice as surprising. Surrounding this group of heroes, are two frequently repeated words: duty and honor. Both terms allude to values that are deeply rooted in Japanese culture. They don’t consider these qualities as unusual but as an ethical minimum with which all Japanese must comply. The team…