The Effect of 3.11 in the Japanese Political Scene

Everest Leo

Mr. Roddy

IHSS

30 August 2021

The Effect of 3.11 in the Japanese Political Scene

https://culanth.org/fieldsights/3-11-the-politics-emerging-and-dissipating-ten-years-since

    It has now been over 10 years since the largest recorded earthquake to hit Japan devastated not just their cities, but provoked their citizens. In the past few decades, there hadn't been much political action or resistance from the citizens. It's almost their way of life, going along with what they think they can't change. But after 3.11 (the name of the earthquake) the citizens of Japan were inspired for the first time in over two decades to hold mass demonstrations, some organized by students. The response to the earthquake also fostered resistance against certain political figures and the decisions they made, as well as support for changing the constitution. However, the Japanese didn't want to be labeled as being "political", wanting to be "normal" instead, but the definitions and connotations of both have become blurred to the point where everyone is a little bit of both. In the present, though, that political spark has died out from what seems like fatigue. The people forget their anger and go back to what they have always been doing in order to survive.

    While this was a short article, I think it highlighted something very important. It wasn't just the demonstrations and motivation that the Japanese experienced, but it was more of the fallout that seemed important to me. The fact that time can force activism to fade and emotions to dwindle is not something we can change, but being aware of it can help us realize many things from how strong suppressive governments are resistant to internal conflict sparking political change to how activist movements cannot be supported forever and they need stronger, faster bursts of influence to harbor change that will last many lifetimes. I also think that as other things issues arise (such as COVID-19), issues of the past and the vigor behind solving them dulls. In this case, Japan was a prime example of how humans deal with complex issues on a large scale.

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