1. THE CALM

Not a single publicized visual of chest-beating or wild grief.  Calm in the face of sorrow itself has been elevated.

 
2. THE DIGNITY

Disciplined queues for water and groceries.  Not a rough word nor a crude gesture.  Their patience is admirable and praiseworthy.


3. THE ABILITY

The incredible architects, for instance.  Major buildings swayed but did not fall.
 

4. THE GRACE (Selflessness)
 
People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get something.
 

5. THE ORDER

No looting in shops.  No honking and no overtaking on the roads.  Just understanding, compassion and respect.

 
6. THE SACRIFICE

Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors.  How will they ever be repaid?
 

7. THE TENDERNESS

Restaurants actually cut prices.  An unguarded ATM is left alone.  The strong cared for the weak.
 

8. THE TRAINING

The old and the children — everyone knew what to do.  And they did exactly just that.

 
9. THE MEDIA

The media showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins.  No silly, self-important reporters.  Only calm reportage.  Most of all – NO POLITICIANS TRYING TO GET CHEAP MILEAGE out of a national disaster.
 

10. THE CONSCIENCE

When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly.  With their country in the midst of a colossal disaster — the Japanese citizens can teach plenty of lessons to the rest of the world.


11.  THE CONTRITION

The Yakuza (the Japanese organized crime syndicate) has quietly sent over 700 large trucks loaded with food, medical supplies and clothing to affected areas and has committed its men to help clear debris and to assist in the recovery.