Made in Japan

In July 2012, the Fukushima Nuclear Accident Independent Investigation Commission of the Diet published its report. In the English version, its chairman Kurokawa Kiyoshi wrote that this “was a disaster ‘Made in Japan.'” Among the causes, he named “our reflexive obedience; our reluctance to question authority.”

The historian Naoko Shimazu pointed out in the Guardian that the Japanese original contains no such explanation. According to a Japanese blogger who compared the two versions, the Japanese preface blames structures instead, such as one-party rule, seniority pay and lifetime employment.

understand-culture
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.