Hi Mendalla,

Interesting story.

I suspect that there is a cultural divide that prevents me from seeing this without suspicion.

I suppose that the notion of honour which is pivotal to much of Japanese culture legal or not might be the motivating factor behind the Yakuza's generosity.  I don't think that the giving comes without strings of some kind.

Do the recipients of such aid, knowing that it comes from organized crime feel free to oppose organized crime or are they now indebted to it in some way.

I suspect that if the local crime syndicate arrived on my doorstep during a time of disaster I have a choice to refuse it.  I don't live under the same code of honour as the Japanese.  Can they refuse culturally without dishonouring the intended giver?

I know that Japan traditionally is slow to ask for outside help (not that I think they actually need much outside help) is that due to obligation that they might feel towards the nations that offer it?

The Yakuza, being in the country already don't need permission to provide support the same way Canada does.

Interesting.

Grace and peace to you.

John

What we know of organized crime and what others know may be different.

In some cultures, it is an honourable involvement. In Japan, they have a fuedal past and yazuka are not hidden. It is a fairly reputable path.

What is legitimate in one place can be illegitimate in another.

Many of the Yazuka are Burakumin (considered untouchables until very recently). So, what employment was there? That is understood in their culture.

After the Kobe earthquake, aid came from yazuka. It is not, for them,  like taking aid from the Bonannos.

That's a point that the article makes pretty well, actually, (though not as succinctly as you) and I can see and understand it as someone with an appreciation of that culture. I'm not sure everyone over here is going to "get it", though.

Mendalla

Guess I should have clicked on the story instead of just typing  LOL

I would say that besides being semi-legit in Japan, there is involvement from many in the spirit of ninkyodo, being chivalrous. When disaster strike sometimes common pain unites, if only for a while. In most disasters there are no religions, no outsiders, no foreigners, no strangers, ... they are all human. It is John  Lennon's Imagine. Shame it does not usually last

Hubby and I watched a good documentary on the big one hitting the west coast if anyone is interested. Search "Cascadian Megaquake" on YouTube to find it. One dayyyyyy....

Yeah, it's going to be quite the ride -- I hope I'm not alive or anywhere near there when it happens :3

(so many different ways for Nature to get us -- no wonder Balzac was writing his The Human Comedy)

I live in Victoria, near the Cascadia fault.  I try not to think about it.

If it struck, and if organized crime was contributing, I cannot see myself refusing.  I hope it would not come to that, but you never know.  

I suspect the contributions in Japan may be PR.   We have organized crime in BC, especially with drugs.  I should hope they would contribute in a disaster! 

EasternOrthodox - I did not realize that you and I live in the same city - cool! I try to be as prepared as one can be for "the big one." Otherwise, I try not to think about it too.

I sent as much of a contribution as I could afford to World Vision, who have people in Japan.  We Ring of Fire residents need to help each other out.   Don't know how it compares to what organized crime in Japan is offering!

I have considered moving out over the earthquake threat, but really, can one ever make oneself completely safe?  Tornados on the prairies, wild-fires in interior BC, blizzards in the East.  

I think stocking up on non-perishable food is a good idea, including bottled water.  And earthquake insurance on the house.

The only reason I would buy bottled water is for an earthquake kit.

You are right EO - there is no truly safe place. I can't think of any place that would be truly free of the threat of natural disaster. We just have to help out when we can when one hits somewhere else and hope that people will help us when we need it.

Those big jugs of water aren't really that bad anyway.  I know people who are environmently minded who buy them because of water quality issues where they live.

I would take assistance offered, I'm not super prepared.  There's enough food here to last for a decent amount of time.  For the stuff that you don't have to cook it might not be the most nutritious (I tend to stock up on stuff like crackers when they are on sale), but I wouldn't starve.  I am bad for letting my medication supply get low sometimes, that could be an issue in an emergency.  I don't know how much aid groups help with prescriptions with large disasters.