Within just a few days, the media reports on the earthquake in Japan are now
dominated by the nuclear disaster that occurred in Fukushima. Almost everyone
who saw images on TV or newspapers will have been shocked... Personally it
reminded me of the disaster images displayed in the Japanese Hiroshima Museum:
deserted streets, ruins, clouds of smoke. Now, street cops are dressed in white
radiation suits and wearing respirators. At least half a million people must be
evacuated from the blasting zone.
What is going on in the psyche of many Japanese, who now for
the second time in less than 70 years experience a nuclear disaster on their
islands, can hardly be imagined. Japan has turned nuclear energy into a force of
peace and economic prosperity. This is one of the great postwar achievements of
Japan, not only in a symbolic way but also in a very real sense. However, yet
again has the ‘atom’ has turned into a scourge of the people - despite the fact
that the Japanese nuclear power plants are among the ‘safest’ in the world.
To simply put away this secondary trauma will not be possible
- a repeat of the shock experience breaks the last barriers even in the most
stable minds. On the surface, most Japanese react as composed as usual - but one
can assume that the disaster will have massive consequences. Even a move away
from nuclear energy is possible in such circumstances, despite Japan now
covering 20% of its energy needs by this source of energy. But in Fukushima, Man
(once again) was demonstrated his limitations.
Will the catharsis of trauma ultimately lead to a massive
research for alternative energy generation technologies? Japan could prove a
germ cell for that as well - just as trauma patients can often finish a
successful therapy stronger and more creative, than they were before the tragic
event.
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Live the happy life you planned! Richard L.
Fellner is head of the Counseling Center Pattaya in Soi Kopai and
offers consultations in English and German languages after making an
appointment at 0854 370 470. |
