Actions Have Consequences and Other Rude Awakenings

Please take time to read follow up comments below... Especially this: 

"Injustice is relatively easy to bear; what stings is justice."- H. L. Mencken

In an occurring theme in life, many someday learn that actions have consequences - in spite of how much they wish words could cover for their deeds. 

Still, again, many foreigners seem to be so concerned with what I think that they just cannot stop writing to me and showing their insecurities about how they panicked and ran from Japan.

ERIC IDLE - PENIS SONG

I have been asked by many Japanese people over these few weeks "Did you leave?" And when they find out that I didn't, they usually open up and start complaining about the foreigners. Of course they do. This is not unique to the Japanese. In any country in the world, they wouldn't like it. I think many Japanese are open about this to me because they know I'm half-Japanese and have been here for most of my life.


Here's an interesting letter from another foreigner whose been here for years and speaks perfect Japanese. Billy-Bob (not his real name) is also the CEO and president of a company in Tokyo. He writes:


Mike,


Saw your blog about "flyjin".  I have been looking for a word for them, and will start using it with pride.  Edogawa-ku, where I live, has been completely transformed since the earthquake.   It had the highest level of Indians in the Japan.  99% of them vanished over the first 3-4 days.  Several friends who employed them at their companies
have been left holding the bag on incomplete projects.  Another friend who works at a real estate agency says that they now have 12 apartments under their management with outstanding rents and no way to contact the contractee.  But with the law, they also can't evict for several more months.   It is a shame as it IS going to give more examples of what can happen if you rent to a gaijin.   


On flip side, I have been surprised at the appreciation by some Japanese that I am still here. I personally feel more Japanese than American so it was never an option to abandon Japan.  But I have still been surprised at how many Japanese "notice" the fact that I stayed.


-Billy-Bob


Thanks BB. Well, another excellent example of how these people who panicked and ran away from Japan have not only made things difficult for themselves - as it should (actions do have consequences) but they have messed things up for the other foreigners in this country.


I think I mentioned many things about this in the past. That even now many of those who left keep trying to make excuses and try to deflect criticism shows that they haven't learned anything. There are many others who think that they do not deserve criticism or pay cuts - or even being terminated at work...


Well, Flyjin and Flyjin apologists, as someone so deftly pointed out, if you don't like the criticism in public or at work, then you have already proven that you are free to leave anytime you like without any ties to responsibility or the welfare of others or your company.


As another has pointed out: 


"They (Flyjin apologists) do not understand that "freedom: does *not* mean that you can do what you want when you want to do it. Nor does it mean that you do not need to take responsibility for your actions. We are living in sad times." 


Flyjin keywords? Link to: coward, irresponsible, irresponsibility, panic, foreigner, poor management, no risk management or assessment skills, no respect, poor leaders, no leadership, undependable, losers....


NOTE: To those Flyjin apologists who have threatened to kick my ass, let me just state one thing clearly. I do not, I repeat, do not allow you to insult me this way. When you refer to me as "Self-centered, overly righteous jerk" Make that, "MISTER Self-Centered, Overly Righteous Jerk." And smile when you say that. I will see you in the playground after school!

Betrayal: Denial or Acceptance & Apology - The Dilemma for Flyjin

Here's at typical conversation with a foreigner who tried to convince me - and anyone who will listen - that even though he ran away during the early days of the Fukushima incident, that he believes he did not shirk his duties when he ran away from Tokyo (as if it matters what I think). I think the assertion is absolutely absurd. I also can't believe that this person really thinks that way either. STEVIE WONDER - HIGHER GROUND I believe that this kind of justification and immature rationalization is pretty common. It is not the sign of good mental health and well-being and shows a person being unable to rectify their actions with the image of who & what they perceive themselves to be.  The bottom line is that it is denial. I won't name this person. Why should I? Since he is far from admitting his error, I will spare him public embarrassment. I gather that, from his mail - on a Sunday morning no less - that he is under pressure for his recent foolishness and might lose his job. Perhaps he should. I would have fired him.   This person actually has something like this on his online bio (I'm paraphrasing to protect his identity): "I work with corporate clients in preparing executive teams and training them on how to handle crisis preparation and the implementation of that preparation."  What a laugh. He claims that he trains people for crisis management yet, he panicked and left? Now he is trying to spin and do damage control?  This is completely a case of "Don't do what I do, do what I say." Loser. I imagine that these sorts of people believe themselves to be responsible, logical adults. Their recent actions destroy that belief in their hearts - and they know it -  and they are desperately trying to convince everyone - in an effort to convince themselves - that it's all okay. They won't soon recover.  Just like a drug addict must first admit that they have a problem before they can recover - these people will probably have to admit that they screwed up or panicked as they feared for their lives. Here's what people must understand: You are all selfish assholes. I am a selfish asshole. We are all selfish assholes. Humans are selfish assholes. We do nothing in the spirit of altruism. Altruism does not exist. Nearly all compassionate and kind acts are related to self-interest.  Realize that and accept it. Get off your cloud. As I posted in Wakeup! Why I Don't Worry and You Shouldn't Either when describing the book "Awareness": "They (most people) never understand the loveliness and the beauty of this thing we call the human existence. You know, all the mystics - Catholic, Christian, non-Christian, no matter what their theology, no matter what their religion - are unanimous on one thing: that all is well, all is well. Though everything is a mess, all is well. Strange paradox to be sure. But, tragically, most people never get to see that all is well because they are asleep. They are having a nightmare." The book goes on to discuss the feelings of fear, hate, distrust, anger, love and addiction. It goes on to ask that the reader, whenever they are feeling these emotions, do an exercise and try to view themselves - and their life - from outside of their own bodies as if they were watching a movie. When you watch a movie and see two people fighting and getting angry or emotional, you do not get so riled up and involved. It is, after all, just a movie. As a movie, then, you can observe with a detachment that is very beneficial to your spirit. But, when you do not detach, when you are one of the people who is doing the fighting, then you become attached and engulfed and emotions such as anger, hate and fear cloud your thinking. I then made the point that staying calm and trying to view events from a different perspective is the first step towards calm and wise decision making: Of course we must make calm and logical decisions on how to protect ourselves and make sure our loved ones are safe, right? Exactly! And that is the point of this essay. How can one make calm and level-headed decisions while being swallowed up by unfounded fears and panic? The best decisions are the ones made in a cool and collected frame of mind; not when your animal and primitive fears kick in for a fight or flight response. I've always admired people who are wise, silent and calm. Think about that again, when do people make rash decisions? When they are emotional. Being in a state of agitated emotions is not conducive to making logical - nor wise - decisions. Is there anyone who can argue this point? You are a selfish jerk. So am I. So is everyone else. The difference? Some people are trying everyday to be mature enough (I hope I am) to admit it and are trying everyday to climb that mountain of truth to get closer to God: This guy who is trying to convince me that he did no wrong, on the other hand, is still trying to hold onto these false idols that he has identified himself with; A false idol that he has damaged or destroyed by his own actions. You are not that respectable, responsible businessman you thought you were. When fear struck your heart, you ran like a small child. Don't expect me to forgive you, even if I wanted to or even if I could. And why do you want me to forgive you? It doesn't matter what I think. It only matters what you think. Your being comes from the innermost of your heart - not the act you do or the mask you wear at work everyday.  The guy who, for some inexplicable reason, wants me to forgive me wrote: "You know, Mike, you and I have been here about the same amount of time. I first came here in 1982 and started living here in 1987. Been here since. I my 25 years, I never left Japan during an earthquake or tsunami. But I chose to leave two days after the Fukishima quake. Sea water being dumped on overheating reactors, no transparency from TEPCO, reactive (vs. proactive) responses....I made my choice to leave for a couple weeks. What is wrong with that? I dislike grouping ALL people who left in the "panic" category. I did not panic. I used my mind and made the choice to leave. And lumping ALL journalists as sensationalist for reporting what was happening is nonsense." I answered:  Do you read or write Japanese? Did you get your news from NHK? Where do you get the idea that I lumped all journalists as sensationalist? That's simply not true. The problem: As an executive at your company, did you run away while expecting your Japanese staff to stay on and work? Or did you do the responsible thing and at least tell them to go home and care for their families? I suspect the former. You can try to convince me all you want of the rationality of your actions, I am not your judge. You need to convince your staff. How long have you been at your current position? 3 months? Excellent management shows leadership and risk management and assessment abilities. Did you?”

He skirted the questions and responded with: 

"This has nothing to do with one's employer, let alone one's skill set or even one's job. It is/was an individual choice based on many things including perceived safety and risk to one's health. End of story."

Once again, I gave him examples. I wrote: 

Here are examples of good leaders and bad in Tokyo Crisis Update: Nuclear Meltdown, Drama Queens and Coca-Cola: http://bit.ly/evSGIE  

And about basic risk management and assessment in Fear, Rationality and Risk: http://bit.ly/enk0RL  

And what a leader is in What is a Leader?: http://bit.ly/dYbdrk  

If you do not fulfill these requirements, you should resign. But, maybe not... (Your company) has run away from Japan three times already... This just shows the quality of the company... And why should the company and her employees aspire to be better than their leaders? I'm not the one who needs to do the soul-searching here, my friend. ”

Again, his response fails to address the issues and blows smoke: 

"You are certainly talking a lot of risks with things you do not know, Mike. I would love to come on your radio show and have a chat....."

Now he is kissing my a*s. I wrote: 

"Please! Let's tell the truth. You made no judgements on risk. How could you have? You panicked! How many people died at Three Mile Island? Zero. On the morning of Monday the 14th, Fukushima was still listed as a level 4 crisis. Three Mile was level 5 and the Japanese system for safety level of radiation is almost 30% lower than what is used in the west. Admit it to yourself that you did zero research to get facts. Three Mile Island was evacuated for 10 miles around that plant. Fukushima was 18 miles! And we in Tokyo are upwind 150 miles from Fukushima! 

Dealing with people using facts and logic is unfair when they are dealing with emotions, I know. Finally, since he realized he couldn't get sympathy or favor from me (why does he need that anyway?) He wrote: "Good-bye, Mike..." What a useless wimp. Here, by the way, is a Talking Points Memo article that contradicts his timeline. I guess it's not so hard to contradict the memory of someone in a panic. Panic, as we have seen over and over, does not lead to good decisions. Just as great ideas when you are high or stoned are usually not great ideas the next day when you are sober. Ultimately, that these people continually go on public forums and try to defend their actions is proof that they know in their hearts that they failed us, Japan and themselves. Think about it: When someone fails or betrays you; when they run away from you without talking to you first; do you accept an apology from them on a public forum, or do you wish for them to come see you and look you straight into the eyes and apologize and show some sincerity and try to make amends? Who doesn't expect those who have transgressed to do the difficult part and apologize in person? No self-respecting person would accept anything less, either. No mature adult would think they could get away with anything less. Ultimately, those who ran away can turn this into a positive growing experience and admit they were wrong or they can continue with their immaturity and try to hide their shame. Which do you think is psychologically healthier? It is obvious that this guy, since he is easily over 50, will not take the spiritual growth route. One would have hoped he had done that in High School. Here is some excellent commentary from Linkedin from a guy named David K. who is an executive in Japan: I am a believer that people should be evaluated for their 360 degree leadership credentials, not fired upon them. However, should they disappear when a crisis arises, I don't believe they should be in the leadership function as their actions affect not only their families, but also the families of all staff they are managing. (emphasis mine) It is my firm belief that some of the best Japanese and ex-pat managers in all industries are here, right now, rebuilding. Some great expat managers who left during the height of the crisis have taken their families back home and already returned. As long as the latter managers communicated well with their staff, they will re-integrate well with the organization. Many companies with a blend of Japanese and international staff who have kept their entire management structure in place throughout this ordeal will prosper heavily. Those with dismantled and non-trusting structures will suffer quite heavily as they unknowingly put the wrong people into positions of leadership. Now they know. It's not a question of how perfect a candidates credentials are when you hire him/her that matters, it's much more a question of how thorough your candidate vetting process is that determines whether your organization deserves to sink or swim when a true crisis hits. We're seeing this now and we'll see it many more times before retirement finally kicks in. I completely agree.

Yomiuri Giants Fire Flyjin Pitcher

Want to know what the Japanese think about the foreigners who left?


The Flyjin controversy is getting hotter and hotter amongst the foreign circles in Japan. Weird, but these people should wake up and figure out that it doesn't matter what the foreigners think - it only matters what the Japanese think. (But, then again, the amount of panic was in inverse proportion to their Japanese ability, so I guess they care about the foreigners as most of them live a life shelled inside a foreigner community bubble in Tokyo). 


You know, this issue would probably die down if these dumb foreigners who split would just wise up and take my advice:


1) Be humble, bow their heads profusely and say "Sorry!" repeatedly - quietly in private to  those they betrayed.
2) Quit making excuses. No one wants to hear your lame excuses. Do you want to hear excuses when those around you screw up? No!
3) Shut your mouths and don't talk back and make excuses when you do apologize. There is a word for talking back when you are being reprimanded and it is "iikaeshi" (言い返し) - don't do it. Shut your mouths and say "Sorry!" ("Sumimasen. Moshiwake arimasen!" is preferrable).*


I am sick of this subject and am really sick of people attacking me for telling you what was going to happen, before it happened; also while it happened; and after it happened (like I am doing now). The Japanese don't like what you guys did and you destroyed a ton of trust and probably can't recover that. 

It's ugly but it's a fact. Get mad at me for telling you that all you want, but it won't change the reality. Here's more proof of what the Japanese think about Flyjin: 

From Yahoo! Japan Sports:

巨人のブライアン・バニスター投手（３０）が２日、３月１５日付で制限選手公示された。再来日の意思がないことから巨人が、日本プロ野球組織（ＮＰＢ）の加藤良三コミッショナー（６９）に申請し受理された。

　バニスターは東日本大震災後の３月１５日、米国に無断帰国。３月末に「再来日の意思がなく引退する」と連絡があった。球団関係者は「かなり一方的。代理人も含めて断固、厳しく対処する」と説明。米国を含む他国リーグへ移籍ができない拘束力を持つ制限選手とする決断に至った。

Translation: It was announced on April 2, 2011 that Yomiuri Giants pitcher Brian Bannister (30-years-old) was released on March 15. Since the Giants have no intention of returning him to Japan, Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) commissioner Ryozo Kato (69-years-old) has accepted the application.

March 15, after the earthquake, Bannister returned to the United States without permission of the Giants front office. He stated, at the end of March, that he had no intention of returning to Japan. A Giants spokesperson said, "His actions are very one-sided and so we intend to deal with him (Bannister) and his agent harshly." Through this incident and the agreement between the baseball leagues around the world, Bannister has now been forced into retirement and is no longer eligible to play baseball professionally in any country in the world including the United States. (emphasis mine)

This is proof positive of how these foolish Flyjin messed up their own lives and have negatively influence ours with their selfish and irrational behavior. 


As long as these people fail to recognize the damage they have caused themselves (and the rest of us) and continue to make excuses in public forums rather than apologize to those who need it in private, then to hell with them.


And make no mistake about it, this is not so much a breach of contract as a breach of trust issue. 


That baseball player, Bannister, did not even discuss leaving with his employers the prospect of leaving Japan. What makes him different than these foreigners in Tokyo who split without discussing amongst their Japanese staff? 


I think the answer is self-evident: There is no difference.


*Take my advice when you apologize to your Japanese boss and peers and do it exactly like I have described here. It just might save your job.


UPDATE:


Here's a ton of stuff the Japanese are saying. One guy, a foreigner (became a nationalized Japanese) and famous soccer player for Japan national team, Ramos, says that "the foreigners that ran away shouldn't come back and that the Japanese don't want them back" Tons of Japanese comments that agree: 逃げたい外国人　さっさと帰れ　もどってくるな http://ameblo.jp/ramos-ruy/entry-10834259061.html

UPDATE TWO: 


More on Dempa 2ch (famous social networking site in Japan) and even a community started that is anti-Flyjin in the Japanese community: http://logsoku.com/thread/hayabusa.2ch.net/livejupiter/1301439006/

Point? See?The fool who ran away have screwed things up not just for themselves... regardless of their excuses. Denial is not just a river in Egypt.

Fear, Rationality and Risk

Mark Davis writes about Fear, Rationality and Risk

"The difference between fear and danger is psychological. It is like the difference between perception and reality. Perceiving that the potential worst case scenario is what should be dealt with as if it were reality leads to a tremendous waste of resources at a time when resources are scarce. Proximity, as you clearly point out in your posts Mike, to the real problem certainly alters the calculus of any risk management decision. In the end, "better safe than sorry" is a luxury that depends on your available resources, but honorable people will also weigh their responsibilities. The rich guy managers abandoning ship are wussies. Like you said: go ahead and send your families away, but consider those you serve (Japanese people) and employ.

I find it funny how people will freak out about doses of radiation that are far less than what the scanners at the airport give you; and that these same people say nothing about the scanners. So getting on a plane to avoid radiation is self-defeating. Fear and danger, indeed. - 

Many people don't consider how to respond to danger or manage risk until they are faced with the "unimaginable". Here is a primer for those not familiar with risk management basics. It is better for people to make calm, rational decisions based on facts instead of emotional, knee-jerk reactions based on fear of the unknown. In risk management jargon, there are three ways to deal with risk: avoid, assume or transfer it. Before you decide which way to go, first you need to know:

1) What could happen (threat event)?

2) If it happened, how bad could it be (threat impact)?

3) How often could it happen (threat frequency)?

4) How certain are the answers to the first three questions (recognition of uncertainty)?

Then:

1) What can be done (risk mitigation)?

2) How much will it cost (over a time period)?

3) Is it cost effective (cost-benefit analysis)?

I hope this will help ease some anxiety and/or anger by offering a rational means of dealing with danger for those consumed with an irrational fear of uncertainty. Note that we must all assume some risk in life."

 - Mark Davis

Mark Davis is a husband, father and real estate analyst/investor enjoying the freedoms in Longwood, Florida.

Flyjin and Right to Vote in Japan?

"Flyjin made poor decisions, and in the process shirked responsibilities, upended their lives, cooled relationships, wasted money (however insignificant it may have been to them given their circumstances), contributed to an unnecessary panic, and set themselves up for a well-deserved ribbing." - Flyjin.com


My attention has been drawn to a wonderful blog called "LetsJapan". The subtitle reads: Travel to Japan and discover its people, history, cuisine, scenery, culture & arts.

RAY CHARLES - HIT THE ROAD JACK

I think it is an excellent blog and if filled with insightful commentary complete with photos and videos. In a recent post,  The Flyjin Phenomenon and Some People Not Like Them the blogger writes:


I can’t think of when I’ve posted anything “controversial” on this blog.  I keep politics out and emphasize culture, the arts, food, sights to see, personal reminiscences and the lighter side of things.  For the most part.  This isn’t like those.  The Tohoku Earthquake & Tsunami has altered some things.  See more, below the happy photograph of me, back in the day, living the Expat life.


The writer then goes on to explain what the Flyjin word means and the phenomenon as well as his astute observations and opinion: 

I dare say that soon, if not already, many Japanese will certainly be familiar with this term.  But, yes, it’s not a term that Japanese have been using to scold skedaddling foreigners with; it’s a term Gaijin have been using towards and about their fellow countrymen and countrywomen.  I’m not ambivalent about the issue.  As said, I find the Flyjins’ actions somewhere between disgusting and loathsome.

Then there are These People

Of course not every foreigner has fled Japan.  To those who stayed, who remain in Japan here and now, Japan is home and their neighbors are their neighbors and the thought of running out on them is just, well, it’s not even a consideration.  I have many foreign friends and colleagues in the Tokyo area who are not only staying put, but are going about with their lives and work.

+  Example 1: “Uptick in Business.”

The substantive part of an email I received one week ago from a colleague who works in downtown Tokyo (note:  “GW” is Golden Week):

Happy to have people come to Japan, we need the uptick in business.  Mid to late April should be fine for everyone.  I am already getting busy again and things are getting back to normal.  Just need to avoid GW and you will be all set.

The writer then goes on to list up English teachers who actually live in the earthquake and tsunami hit areas who didn't leave. People who were so dedicated to their lives, jobs and communities that they stayed on.

If any foreigner had an excuse to leave Japan during this crisis, no one would be criticizing those who lived in the worst hit zones... But there they remained. One English teacher remarked:

”It is overwhelming, mentally and physically to stay here but I want to stay,” said Katherine Sheu, 25, from Los Angeles, who has taught English at five elementary and junior high schools in the devastated city of Ishinomaki for the past three years. . .

”I love it here. I have many connections with my students, the teachers and the neighbors. I wouldn’t just leave,” Sheu said.

. . . Sheu had been touched by the way her neighbors in Ishinomaki welcomed her.  At a time when she was sick, they had checked on her and come to her aid.

”Just the way people cared about me and worried about me made me feel good. It changed everything.” Some gave her strawberries and tomatoes from their farms. ”You will never get that in Los Angeles.”

There are many more wonderful examples like the one above at LetsJapan. Please take a moment to look at it. While doing so, compare the leadership and dedication that these people - English teachers (who are often slated for derision by the foreigner community in Japan)! Compare the leadership and dedication show by these young people - who live near the disaster zone - with that of the foreign community - specifically foreign business executives - who ran from Tokyo and even as far away as Nagoya in Kansai while leaving their Japanese staff holding the bag.

The writer then goes on to point out another interesting repercussion that this entire Flyjin episode has probably caused. He writes:

Update.  1 April 2011.  One of many possible upshots.

I paraphrase what one British friend and colleague, living in Tokyo, married to a Japanese woman, related to me by email after he read this.  According to my friend’s wife, a recent topic of conversation that has been circulating among the Japanese involves the prospects of Gaijin getting the vote.  Whereas before the crisis most people appeared broadly in favor of permanent residents getting a vote, many now appear to have completely changed their mind as a result of the widespread exodus of foreigners, arguing (as my friend says, “convincingly, in my book”) that their actions have revealed that the depth of their commitment to society is perhaps not all it should be to warrant full emancipation.

My own wife is a former TV news announcer and is well-connected in those circles as well as being a fairly well-known writer. I asked her last night to investigate this amongst her Japanese friends and let me know what everyone thought. She did that for me last night. Basically, she said,

"Japanese people are quite forgiving and many have a "foreigner complex" whereby we don't expect the foreigners to do simple things like learn the Japanese language. We easily forgive them when they do not understand or fit in so well. It's even because many Japanese people themselves think that Japan has so many customs and rules that it is difficult for even us to know what to do in many cases. But, in our case, when we don't know, as japanese it is common sense that we consult each other and, in Japan, team work is what matters. A Japanese person would never flee when others in their family are in danger. Take, for example the Fukushima 50. That the foreigners fled instantly, before any consultations or warnings from the government, show us that they don't care about the group so they do not intend to be a part of Japanese society...  That's okay. Hence, all the people I talked to were of the opinion that foreigners are just that; We can't expect them to be responsible to anyone except themselves. Most of them certainly do not understand what the responsibility to us (Japanese) means so they shouldn't be allowed to vote. That isn't to say that all foreigners shouldn't be allowed to vote... But how can we separate the responsible ones from the ones we can't depend on?"

I understand. There will be more repercussions coming concerning those who fled. Now, I think, the worst thing they can do is to continue making excuses and attacking the messenger. The smart foreigners who fled unnecessarily will come back and - when in Rome do as the Romans do - quietly apologize to those they hurt; keep their heads down; be extremely humble; and try to remain silent for a long while (meaning that they refrain from boisterous behavior).

Take this advice from a half-Japanese who has lived with Japanese people all his life and lived here continuously since 1984... First coming here over 32 years ago. Call me a know-it-all but this is the way it is. If you wish to return smoothly take my advice and be humble, you'll help greatly in the healing process... The first thing anyone needs to do here in this country when there is a problem - whether they caused it or not - is to humbly apologize profusely and sincerely.

Japanese people will listen to your heart more than your words.

If you want to read more well-written commentary about this subject and just some wonderful things "Japan", I highly recommend "LetsJapan".