今回の記事はAFP通信の In tragedy, Japan impresses the world(悲劇の中、日本は世界を驚嘆させる)の中でジョセフ・ナイ氏へのインタビューも含めてもう一度、日本人がこの災害から立ち直り、また、世界のソフト・パワーとして世界を魅了出来るようになれるんだ、という気持ちを持ちたいと思って紹介させていただきます。
--------- WASHINGTON ― Despite the horrific scenes of destruction, Japan may emerge from its quake-tsunami disaster with a stronger international brand-name as the nation's resilience wins wide praise.
Television stations around the world have broadcast the footage of the seismic waves as they razed homes and carried away cars as if they were toys, stranding dazed survivors on the brutalized landscape.
But coverage has also shown another side -- Japanese showing calm as they search for loved ones or wait for basic necessities. There is not a hint of looting or violence, even as residents line up at half-empty stores.
Entries on the English-language blogosphere speak of the Japanese as "stoic" and wonder the reaction in Western countries would be to a disaster of similar magnitude.
Harvard University professor Joseph Nye said that the disaster may turn out to benefit Japan's "soft power" -- a term he coined to describe how nations achieve their goals by appearing more attractive to others.
"Though the tragedy is immense, this sad event shows some of the very attractive features of Japan, and thus may help their soft power," Nye told AFP in an email exchange.
"In addition to the sympathy it will engender, it shows a stable, well-mannered society that was as prepared for such a disaster as any modern country could be, and which is responding in a calm and orderly way," he said.
Pakistan received aid from the United States and other countries last year when it was submerged by major floods. But funding came slowly from individuals overseas with relief groups pointing to Pakistan's image problems.
China and Haiti also faced criticism over government handling of earthquakes in 2008 and last year.
"The question was whether Japan was going to be able to deal with what's necessary, to innovate and revive its economy," said Nicholas Szechenyi, deputy director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
"It's way too early to make any predictions, but I think so far, viewed from afar, it seems like the Japanese people are demonstrating resilience at a time of crisis. I think that could say a lot about Japan in the days and weeks ahead," he said.