Japan 2 years after earthquake

[psijac]

Its like watching Detroit in reverse

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2013 ... er/100469/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[strider67]

That is crazy that was 2 years ago...seemed like yesterday!

[RoyGBiv]

Thanks for posting. Very interesting.

[Syntyr]

Wow that is something else. I was amazed after the tsunami how orderly and well behaved the Japanese people were. They have a great spirit. I studied Japanese for a couple of years. I like their culture but I could never live over there. Too many people and I would have to give up my bang bangs!!!

I am constantly reminded how orderly and well behave the citizens of New Orleans were after hurricane Katrina. I mean it looked just like in Japan - sarcasm off...

[baldeagle]

I didn't know that the Japanese drive on the left side of the road. How strange.

[RPBrown]

It is amazing how the debris has been cleared in only 2 years.

[suthdj]

call me a skeptic but I don't see any referance points to compare if it is the same area.

[The Annoyed Man]

call me a skeptic but I don't see any referance points to compare if it is the same area.

Did you click on the images to see the before and after views? Only the very top image combines both in one single picture. The others have to be clicked on. In each of the "after" views, there is at least one reference. I had now trouble finding them.

I didn't know that the Japanese drive on the left side of the road. How strange.

I remember the first time I learned that, and being nonplused myself. I've always associated driving on the left side of the road with the commonwealth nations of the former British Empire, and that obviously excludes Japan. I think that for us, it must seem counterintuitive to drive on the left, simply for no other reason than that's how we've always done it. But for people who have known no other way than driving on the left, our system must seem counterintuitive.

I've always been curious about how one standard or the other got started. I'll bet that we drive on the right "because that's how the Romans do it," or some equally ancient reason.

Those are amazing photos. I just read an article the other day in which one of the "Fukushima 50" was interviewed. It's a pretty amazing story of quiet courage. Here is a representative one like it: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2 ... -sacrifice.

[suthdj]

call me a skeptic but I don't see any referance points to compare if it is the same area.

Did you click on the images to see the before and after views? Only the very top image combines both in one single picture. The others have to be clicked on. In each of the "after" views, there is at least one reference. I had now trouble finding them.

I didn't know that the Japanese drive on the left side of the road. How strange.

I remember the first time I learned that, and being nonplused myself. I've always associated driving on the left side of the road with the commonwealth nations of the former British Empire, and that obviously excludes Japan. I think that for us, it must seem counterintuitive to drive on the left, simply for no other reason than that's how we've always done it. But for people who have known no other way than driving on the left, our system must seem counterintuitive.

I've always been curious about how one standard or the other got started. I'll bet that we drive on the right "because that's how the Romans do it," or some equally ancient reason.

Those are amazing photos. I just read an article the other day in which one of the "Fukushima 50" was interviewed. It's a pretty amazing story of quiet courage. Here is a representative one like it: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2 ... -sacrifice.

No I am on my tab, I will have to look when Iget home. I only saw the first photo that are side by side.

[Keith B]

The one that threw me was photo 5. At first I thought it was not same place because of the islands in the background. Then realized those are debris islands where they have piled it up!

[baldeagle]

I didn't know that the Japanese drive on the left side of the road. How strange.

I remember the first time I learned that, and being nonplused myself. I've always associated driving on the left side of the road with the commonwealth nations of the former British Empire, and that obviously excludes Japan. I think that for us, it must seem counterintuitive to drive on the left, simply for no other reason than that's how we've always done it. But for people who have known no other way than driving on the left, our system must seem counterintuitive.

I've always been curious about how one standard or the other got started. I'll bet that we drive on the right "because that's how the Romans do it," or some equally ancient reason.

I know why former British colonies drive on the left. Because right-handed knights always stayed to the left so they could use their lances against the enemy. Turns out the Japanese have a very similar reason; the Samurai stayed to the left for the same reason - they could more easily draw their swords and defend themselves - BUT the British did have a hand in cementing the practice. They won the contract to build railways in Japan, and they were all designed to pick up passengers on the left side. http://www.2pass.co.uk/japan.htm#.UToCjxkY0xE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Interesting what you can learn on the Internet.

[texanjoker]

Wow..they have been working hard.

[2farnorth]

Having lived over there for 3 years (back in the 80s) it doesn't amaze me that they responded as seen in the pics. They are generally a very polite, gracious, hard working, and energetic people. One of those places that if you lost your empty (no money in it) wallet it might be be returned to you with a 1000 yen note in it because it looked like you could be poor.