Interesting problem: Safes, cash wash up on Japan shores after tsunami

[dixiegrrrrl]

Safes are washing up along the tsunami-battered coast, and police are trying to find their owners — a unique problem in a country where many people, especially the elderly, still stash their cash at home.
By one estimate, some $350 billion worth of yen doesn't circulate.

There's even a term for this hidden money in Japanese, "tansu yokin." Or literally, "wardrobe savings."

So the massive post-tsunami cleanup under way along hundreds of miles (kilometers) of Japan's ravaged northeastern coast involves the delicate business of separating junk from valuables. As workers and residents pick through the wreckage, they are increasingly stumbling upon cash and locked safes.

One month after the March 11 tsunami devastated Ofunato and other nearby cities, police departments already stretched thin now face the growing task of managing lost wealth.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_japan_earthquake_lost_money

[Bonobo]

1. One thing I can tell you...

Japanese are honest to an unthinkable degree in terms of returning lost items and cash.

They will look and look and look for the owners and I can guarantee you that there will be virtually no stealing.

It would shock you. In all honesty, even after 25 years experience with Japan, it still shocks me how incredibly honest and ethical they are about this kind of thing.

[RKP5637]

2. After watching the behavior of the Japanese on the TV after the disaster, I would

rather take my chances with them in a disaster than here. I'm afraid AK-47's would break out all over the place.

[Bonobo]

3. That is one of the biggest reasons I moved my family.

I have plenty of others, but that thought looms in the back of my mind as the world moves towards what I see as well, "problems" (let's just leave it at that).

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. I was struck by how often, when giving instructions, they say please.

"Please stay indoors"
"please make your house airtight"
etc.

the only place I have found that level of politeness is down here in Southern small towns.
Southern cities, not that much as a rule, but small towns, very polite, layers of rules about what you say to who,
how you address people, depending on relationship and status, and, a great unwillingness to say No to/about something, to the extent that there are agreements to show up for a task, but then a no show.
thus one learns not to paint someone in a corner about obligations.
If I could have another lifetime, I would like to live in Japan, have always felt a connection to that culture.

Hope you and your familiy are doing well, Bonobo.
Is there anything we can do for you?
:hi:

[Bonobo]

6. I am doing great, Dixiegrrrl. Thank you.

It is so sad to see that people are beginning to shun Japan all over the world though.

As bad as the situation is, some of the panic-inducing over-reactions and sloppy reporting is leading to Asian and Western countries rejecting Japanese products that are no danger even (although I fully recognize that SOME products are a danger).

I was sad to see on the news today that tourism to the Nikko Shrine north of Tokyo is down 95%. It is one of the most amazing places I have ever been and the tourist shops there are needlessly suffering.

In Taiwan, Singapore and other places, Japanese restaurants are being similarly shunned despite the fact that their food is safe.

I fear the economic repercussions will be a long time coming.

So, if there is anything you can do, I would only ask that you look at the situation closely and try to avoid repeating panic-porn stories that are not well thought out and are meant to strike an emotional fear simply due to the gut-reaction use of the word "radiation".

Certainly there is danger, but there is also over-reaction.

[roamer65]

5. The honesty that remains in the US still surprises me.

I accidentally left a $100 bill at a teller's window today. He came out into the parking lot to give the me the $100.

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. Store clerk came out the parking lot to return 50.00 in bills I had dropped

a few weeks ago.
But then, I expect that where I live. One of the benefits of a deeply religious culture.
There are a certain number of drug related arrests. You get arrested, your name and charge is published,
for all the community to see. 2 people moved out of town after an arrest.

[Heywood J]

8. Wouldn't an easy start be for the Japanese police to begin collecting

descriptions of safes, expected contents, and combinations? From there, anything that matches can be bagged and tagged to be returned. So far as I know, honesty isn't an issue in this crisis and it's better than nothing.

[undeterred]

9. But is it radioactive?