Will Japan recover from the tsunami in the near future? (country, people)

[AuburnAL]

Increasingly I've seen people putting forward the premise that the tsunami is going to be what pushes Japan from being a first rate power to the second or third tier, and that it will remain there for some time to come. The reasoning goes that between their long term economic problems, aging population, and tiny birthrate the immediate destruction of the tsunami combined with industrial production being shifted overseas while the infrastructure in Japan is being rebuilt will put Japan on a downward path that can't be reversed in the near future. Do you think this is true?

[wanneroo]

The tsunami only hit a small part of Japan, so it's not like the whole country needs rebuilt. I'm sure the earthquake also did some damage too, but nothing they can't recover from.

After WW2, most of their cities were toast and the country was a total mess. Within 20 years they were back strong and within 40 years, one of the worlds economic powers.

[GloryB]

I think it will remain an open question until it is determined how much their exporting will suffer due to possible radiation....both on products made and in the sea water used to cool down the reactors which may affect their sea food trade.

Other than that, I believe they will rebuild in record time. They are extremely smart, industrious and organized as a nation. They will bounce back as fast as humanly possible.

[Peony321]

the biggest fear of all should be the nuclear power plants leaking radiation. now i know why the us went aound saying no nukes in the 1970s and 80s.

[Peony321]

and if there is a nuclear meltdown i seriously doubt they will recover..remember chernoybl.

[minibrings]

Originally Posted by Peony321

and if there is a nuclear meltdown i seriously doubt they will recover..remember chernoybl.

Remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
Japan recovered.

[vaga bond]

Actually think it'll help boost growth once things turn around, and as long as the nuclear situation doesn't turn into a level 6 or 7 (worst), which it doesn't look like at this point.

[Miaiam]

Imo Japan will recover, and rather quickly.

The Japanese have a huge sense or organization, civility, mutual respect, and are very much concerned about the well-being of their communities as a whole.
One could see - despite such tragedy - there was no looting, people were patiently taking turns, helping others, waiting on lines, small restaurant owners were offering free food, etc.

I hope they bounce back, Japan is such a great place.

[diablo234]

If the Gulf Coast can recover from Hurricane Katrina then Japan can recover from the tsunami.

[texdav]

I would say that Japan will recover fairly fast as they have shown in the past disasters.They are a cohesive society that works to a end better than most.