Not long after the post-earthquake blackouts started playing havoc with Tokyo’s transportation system and businesses, there was some brief talk of a shift in working practices as well as attitude. Gone would be the likes of unnecessary overtime, plus, perhaps more realistically, the system of set holidays which sees the whole nation supposedly relax by congregating en masse on a myriad of motorways. And instead, sensible working hours along with staggered time off would see people working less, but at the same time, more efficiently. A move that as well as increasing workers quality of life, would also conserve electricity.
Not much more than a month later, however, such moves seem moot. The postponement of power cuts, and the gradual return of something not far from normal, appear to have quickly put paid to any possible changes.
Changes that could have improved peoples lives in so many ways; even at the very simple level of sights like this on a weekday rather than exclusively at the weekend. Something that would almost certainly make the fella in the photograph happy, along with anybody fortunate enough to see him.
Biggie says
yeah, I’m with you on this one. So many good things could have, should have come from this disaster, but already it’s getting back to business… Politicians bickering over nitpicks and how to make another PM bite the dust instead of turning the wheel an 180 degrees. Makes you kind of sad.
Lee says
It does. Like you say, so many good things could have come out of this whole mess, but those chances seem to be disappearing as quickly as the lights are getting ever brighter…
James says
makes me more than sad. makes me afraid for Japan. how many times is it gonna take before we learn?
Lee says
Sadly many more times it would seem James.
snoeksen says
Thank you, now I have Morrissey singing in my head for the rest of the day…
But I wonder, how much will the post-quake/tsunami-Japan change. I hope to be back in October, I guess I will see for myself. But probably the biggest change might happen this coming summer…
Lee says
Sorry, but it could have been worse. Although admittedly it could have been better too, and been a Smiths song reference instead!
It remains to be seen, but initial signs aren’t good. It is looking like things will surely but surely revert to the way they have always been. Summer though will certainly be a test. In many ways. Although there are suggestions that power production by then may just about cover needs. Time will tell no doubt…
Jeffrey says
Morrisey post-Smiths. “Viva Hate” CD.
Jeffrey says
Lee,
Part of the problem with this wishful thinking is that about 80 percent of the country’s population has not been directly affected by what happened in Tohoku. Yes, a number of major manufacturers not based in the Kanto area but who have facilities in Tohoku are struggling mightily. But otherwise, life goes on, no, in the Chubu and the Kansai areas? (Similarly, see the U.S., no draft and the constant state of war.)
What I find puzzling is that Japan is more energy sensitive than probably any other industrialized nation. I know this is what has made nuclear power “the answer.” But, remember, because the Japanese have a better understanding of nature than we hairy barbarians, you’d think that solar, wind and geo-thermal would have more appeal and have made greater inroads than they have to date.
Lee says
Yes, that’s very true Jeffrey, and it is/was very wishful thinking, it just seemed like the perfect opportunity to make some changes that would have provided benefits across the board that’s all. Even if it was just done on a regional/city level. Particularly so with something like the current system of set holidays, like the upcoming Golden Week, when prices and crowding hit ridiculous levels.
As for ore sources of power, I really don’t have enough knowledge to speculate on alternatives, but my guess is that solar and wind at least wouldn’t generate anything like the amount needed. After the problems in Fukushima, however, it’s certainly time to at least start investigating alternatives.
Matt says
It certain looks like and idyllic setting. I can almost hear him playing now. I love the way you always capture the scene and mood so well.
I’m not sure Japan has a better understanding of nature, but i am also surprised that there is not better use made of geothermal energy. Is it just the technology is relatively new and still too expensive i wonder.
Lee says
Thanks Matt, it is a lovely spot. One of my regular haunts.
Like I said to Jeffrey, I really don’t know much about the alternatives on offer, but now is definitely the time for the them to be explored thoroughly.
Jeffrey says
Matt,
Sorry. You couldn’t, of course, see my tongue in cheek or hear the drip, drip of sarcasm in the nature comment. The Japanese have a wonderful aesthetic sense of nature but are pretty bad at actually caring for it.
AV says
Alternative energy… Just one thought: if alternatives are ‘explored’ by subsidies, it will only make it that much more expensive for anyone to get into the sector with new ideas. And what else could politics do? There are no oracles in government anymore [except the Kirghiz parliament*, by their own admission – maybe some more goats would bribe those spirits into telling the future… ].
Crisis stir things up, but they are also great times for political opportunists to take hold. And then hold, and hold…
Inasmuch, I am not too disappointed with the Japanese politics remaining as unpleasant as ever. It is quite astounding that Japan doesn’t look like… Syria or Oman though, considering how spooky its politics are! But again, even slightly longer then one thousand years ago, it was simply self-evident among Japanese ruling hordes that effective politics is a sort of arrangement that runs well with the worst people. Whatever that means, it appears to have remained meaningful hence and henceforth… I wish I knew more then the little it shows from this far away [Europe, the dead end of it].
just a thought…
_____
Note: the Kirgiz story I am referring to – http://www.interfax.co.uk/central-asia-general-news-bulletins-in-english/evil-spirits-driven-out-from-kyrgyz-parliament-building/
The quip about Japanese political philosophy back then come from Heike, somewhere…
Joel says
I’ve started working now for 2 months, and yeah, the only thing you wish is that every day would be like sunday or at least have one more day to rest.