Impact of “Jishuku” (Self-Restraint) in the Japan Disaster Aftermath

Osaka - Thursday, April 7, 2011




The Japan disaster, what Dr. Neal calls “natech” (nature + technology) disaster as explained in the article How the World and Japan Should Handle Japan Disaster is extremely complex. For this reason, topics reported by Japanese media about the disaster range from anything about victims such as the severe environment in which they currently live in and how large group of them (in hundreds) transfer to somewhere safer, to Fukushima nuclear plant accident and variety of issues affected by the accidents that are negative for recovery and reconstruction of the country.



One of such a topic is “jishuku”, the fact that many events and entertainments are cancelled as “self-restraint” throughout Japan. It is interesting to note that reports and discussions on this topic are triggered by the article by New York Times online on March 27 about this topic, using the Japanese word “jishuku”.



In this article, the author would like to summarize recent reports and discussions by Japanese media adding what she actually experiences on the topic, and present a possible option to minimize negative effect of “jishuku”.



1. How is “jishuku” (self-restraint) spreading after the Japan disaster?



Many events (concerts, sport games etc.) that were originally planned to be held are cancelled or postponed since the earthquake and tsunami on that hit north eastern Japan on March 11 and are replaced by charity concerts and events.



April is when new graduates start working in Japan and April 1 is their welcoming ceremony; however, many companies cancelled such ceremonies. Parties welcoming new members as well as usual entertainments (eating, dining etc.) are mostly cancelled and therefore sales of restaurants and hotels have dropped than more than 50%, some even as much as 80%.



April in Japan is also when people enjoy “ohanami” events and entertainments, which is to enjoy cherry blossoms while eating and drinking, at daytime and night time, as mentioned in What is the Message of Recent Cherry Blossom Phenomenon? thus is one of the peak for tourism and entertainment of individuals but this is also in “jishuku” mood.



Tourist spots famous for beautiful cherry blossoms would plan and hold events to attract tourists; however, many of them downsize events, do away with night time light-ups, open the facility (e.g. temples) for shorter hours and so forth. Inevitably, hotels, souvenir shops and restaurants that usually benefit from “ohanami” seasons are hardly hit.



2. What are some of the exceptions?



The baseball tournament in which high schools from throughout Japan in the end of March in Kobe was held as every other year with additional programme in consideration to the disaster. In the opening ceremony in which a participant of the tournament representing players makes a declaration of fair competition, moment of silent prayer was set first. Also, the team from Tohoku (the most hardly hit area) was warmly welcomed in particular and students from Kobe supported to encourage them because in this situation their own supports would not be able to come all the way from north eastern Japan to Kobe in western Japan.



National professional baseball tournament is also to be held like previous years but there had been a great discussion as to the date of the start and the time of the day being played to avoid night games, considering the situation in which saving electricity to minimize blackout is a critical issue.



A few “ohanami” spots famous for beauty of cherry blossoms decided to hold events and night time lightening shows to entertain and encourage people including victims. Such examples include Maruyama Koen Park in Kyoto.



3. What is the opinion of the Japanese people about “jishuku”?



Their opinion is divided between for and against “jishuku”. The Governor of Tokyo is for the “jishuku”, and a popular female minister responsible for renewal for administration is against “jishuku”. Both are very popular among media and the general public.



And, when Nikkei, a leading newspaper specialized in business and economy implemented a survey on April 5 and 6 about pros and cons of “jishuku” in which 4,823 people responded, 78% answered that currently it is too excessive and “consumption to assist economic recovery of Tohoku is necessary”.



1) People against (excessive) “jishuku”



What they meant is consumption directly contributing to recovery of the devastated area. For example, this is by proactively goods made in Tohoku, which are famous for high level rice, Japanese sake and many others, because it would have similar value with relief aid. Some others said that “everyone to proactively buy things and all business organizations could donate 1% of sales as relief aid” and “everyone could consume without feeling guilty if consumption tax is implemented to be used exclusively for issues related to the disaster”.



Some other comments from people who feels current “jishuku” is excess include “jishuku is not to be obligated (but done voluntarily)” and “jishuku and saving electricity/being frugal needs to be considered as something completely different”.



2) People in favour of “jishuku” and people who say “jishuku” cannot be avoided for economic reasons



It seems many of these people do not feel like enjoying entertainment if they think of victims in the devastated area. There was a comment such as “it may be necessary to have a certain period of “jishuku” nationwide so that everyone would remember the historic disaster”.



Some others seriously said that “jishuku” cannot be avoided due to economic reasons, worrying about their future, which implies secondary and thirdly negative effect of the disaster is spreading. Such people said that “In this situation surely the annual income will be reduced while tax will be increased”, “Our business has been shrinking since the outbreak of the disaster. It is quite possible that first comes overtime work cut followed by salary cut and then restructuring. Tax increase for recovery from the disaster is also quite possible. In such a situation how could you sped your money (on entertainment)?



3. How “jishuku” is better handled



Even people who are not directly affected by the disaster, they may well be forced to “jishuku” i.e. cut on spending for economic reasons as some commented in the survey; however, without sufficient consumer spending, the total economy would remain stagnant although there might be a little stimulant in general construction industry from reconstruction of social infrastructure (e.g. housing, roads, facilities).



What can be done is build consensus to hold events among the industry members then hold events saying that such consensus is formed in inviting people so that they will not feel guilty to participate in the events. This would require good communication among the industry members. This would be difficult normally because many organizations would like to keep their initiatives/plan secret; however, according to Naito, organizations have been exchanging information in depth even among rivals regarding countermeasure to aftermath of the disaster.



In addition, events could be tailored so that it could contribute to relief aids. Charity concerts, fund raising at the events, moment of silent prayers to the devastated area and victims, and other consideration are important.



Naito introduces a message from a business owner of Japanese sake in Tohoku at the end of his article, which is “please do not “jishuku” too much, but instead support us by enjoying our Tohoku sake”.



Excessive “jishuku” stagnates economy and this means lowing down of recovery and reconstruction. We all need to do what we can; save electricity, be frugal while consume appropriately and work hard, all to make our ends meet and keep the economy going, the requirement for recovery and reconstruction.





Resources:-

Naito, Ko (March 30, 2011) Truth of “jishuku of consumption” – countermeasures for minimizing “the fourth disaster” (In Japanese)

http://business.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/money/20110329/219215/?P=1

Naito, Ko (April 7, 2011) People who stand against “consumption jishuku” – Let’s do what we can if time allows (In Japanese)

http://business.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/money/20110406/219332/?P=1

Takagi, Koji (April 7, 2011) Japanese companies together cancelled ceremony welcoming new graduates and postponed welcoming parties – When should “jishuku” mood be eliminated when such mood has been spreading? (In Japanese)

http://diamond.jp/articles/-/11783

Nikkei (April 7, 2011) 78% responded “jishuku” is too much and “consumption to support” necessary – From survey (In Japanese)

http://www.nikkei.com/life/simple/article/g=96958A90889DE0E4E0E4E4E2E3E2E2E4E2E6E0E2E3E3E2E2E2E2E2E2;dg=1;q=F2F2F2F2F2F2F2F2F2F2F2F2F2F2;p=9694E3E6E2E4E0E2E3E2E4EAE1E3