Oops! Hyogo Prefectural Gov. Says Another Kanto Quake Would Be "Chance" For W. Japan To Prosper

[hatrack]

The governor of a Japan province has come under fire for saying a massive quake in the Tokyo area would provide a "chance" for his region to benefit economically. "As a Great Kanto Earthquake would inflict considerable damage, it would be a chance" for the economy of western Japan, Hyogo prefecture Governor Toshizo Ido told a meeting of regional leaders on Tuesday. "We must grab this chance."

A powerful earthquake in the Kanto region around Tokyo in 1923 killed an estimated 140,000 people. Japan, which lies at the crossing of four tectonic plates, experiences 20 percent of the world's powerful earthquakes, and many Tokyo residents fear the "big one" will hit the capital in the near future.

More than 6,000 people died in western Hyogo prefecture in the 1995 Kobe earthquake. Ido, facing criticism for his remarks, held a press conference late Tuesday and admitted the use of the word "chance" was inappropriate, but he refused to apologise.

"I didn't intend at all to say a huge disaster is desirable. I don't understand why I should apologise," he told reporters.

EDIT

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Governor_says_major_Tokyo_quake_chance_for_west_Japan_999.html

[Idealism]

1. In Japan they shame people like this out of public office

In America we elect them to the Presidency :(

[kristopher]

2. I had a friend that said

I had a friend that said something similar. He was responding to my question about the worry of "the big one" (the area of main population in Japan has a cycle of major earthquakes approximately every 70 years and it has now been about 90 years) when he said he looked forward to it because he would then be able to afford to buy a house in Tokyo (the most expensive real estate in the world at the time).

To me, it was a statement of the dedication to maintaining a positive outlook no matter how bleak the circumstances. This dedication to positivity is, again to me, the finest quality of the Japanese people. It isn't a retreat into fantasy, it is more of a pushing back of the darkness that despair brings.