Japan asks for, then refuses, temporary housing made by gaijin

[LesTalk]

USA Today reports that Japan asked international help to supply temporary housing following the March 11 tsunami, but has since refused to award contracts to non-Japanese manufacturers.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-08-09-Japan-protectionism-housing-tsunami_n.htm

On April 15, Tokyo made a plea for international help with housing. By late May, it had rejected almost all the 322 foreign proposals, from 23 countries, that were listed for consideration.

Japanese officials say that the international contracts were rejected because domestic companies could supply the needed housing, Japanese officials couldn't deal with the English language bids, and they were concerned that the housing wouldn't meet Japanese standards for gas, plumbing, etc..

[james]

Japanese officials say that the international contracts were rejected because domestic companies could supply the needed housing, Japanese officials couldn't deal with the English language bids, and they were concerned that the housing wouldn't meet Japanese standards for gas, plumbing, etc..

yeah, more like they don't want foreigners building "temporary" housing that would likely outlast local construction and make them look substandard by including such things like insulation, double-paned windows, weatherproofing and central heating.

[Yokohammer]

This kind of makes sense, but it would make even more sense if the domestic companies/people building the temporary housing were all from the affected areas, but in fact most of the contracts went to companies outside the affected areas. Something to do with the prefectural government having standing agreements with outside contractors in the case of a disaster.

The people who have lost everything need work to rebuild their lives.

The city next to the one I live in took the issue into their own hands, refusing help from the prefectural government in this case and using all local contractors to build their temporary housing. The result is that they have some of the nicest "temporary" housing in the prefecture. So nice, in fact, that it's going to be repurposed once the need for temporary housing has passed.

[Ganma]

The city next to the one I live in took the issue into their own hands, refusing help from the prefectural government in this case and using all local contractors to build their temporary housing. The result is that they have some of the nicest "temporary" housing in the prefecture. So nice, in fact, that it's going to be repurposed once the need for temporary housing has passed.

The wife tells me this is the way it's going across the board. The government can't be trusted or relied upon for anything so local communities are taking action on their own.

[2triky]

The wife tells me this is the way it's going across the board. The government can't be trusted or relied upon for anything so local communities are taking action on their own.

Given the universality of this perception (or reality I should say), I'm surprised there isn't a more vociferous cry of outrage in light of the government's inability or refusal to assist those in need.

[Coligny]

Given the universality of this perception (or reality I should say), I'm surprised there isn't a more vociferous cry of outrage in light of the government's inability or refusal to assist those in need.

Tssss... they are working around the clock to help those poor Tepco shareholders... can't be everywhere at the same time...

[2triky]

Tssss... they are working around the clock to help those poor Tepco shareholders... can't be everywhere at the same time...

And therein lies the rub. There is no need to discuss priorities...

[matsuki]

Given the universality of this perception (or reality I should say), I'm surprised there isn't a more vociferous cry of outrage in light of the government's inability or refusal to assist those in need.

You mean like refusing to pay taxes and shit? If I was from the area around Fukushima, I'd probably have "borrowed" a tank from one of the U.S. bases and "remodeled" all the Government/Tepco officials homes with it.

[2triky]

You mean like refusing to pay taxes and shit? If I was from the area around Fukushima, I'd probably have "borrowed" a tank from one of the U.S. bases and "remodeled" all the Government/Tepco officials homes with it.

Hell, some form of civil disobedience...rearranging some faces would be too much to hope for, access to tanks notwithstanding.

[Ganma]

I don't know. I think they are going about it the right way by taking matters into their own hands rather than waiting for the govt. to do something. Are riots like in London going to help? I don't think so.
Japan has relied on central government for too long. A shift towards more self sufficient communities may pave the way for a brake in the current status quo and give rise to leadership that isn't tied into the old system.

[Yokohammer]

Japan has relied on central government for too long. A shift towards more self sufficient communities may pave the way for a brake in the current status quo and give rise to leadership that isn't tied into the old system.

That's a really good thought. Me like.
I'm going to hold onto that one for a while.

[2triky]

I don't know. I think they are going about it the right way by taking matters into their own hands rather than waiting for the govt. to do something. Are riots like in London going to help? I don't think so.
Japan has relied on central government for too long. A shift towards more self sufficient communities may pave the way for a brake in the current status quo and give rise to leadership that isn't tied into the old system.

I agree that self-help is the more expedient choice. As you say perhaps circumventing the bureaucratic inertia may affect political change although that's not the primary goal of such activity, although given the chronology of events thus far I'm not too optimistic.

[matsuki]

That's a really good thought. Me like.
I'm going to hold onto that one for a while.

It is....but then I go back to my point about taxes. All these people are being fucked over by the central gov. they paid for. Unless they stop paying taxes and secede from the rest of Japan, I don't see much changing...

[Yokohammer]

It is....but then I go back to my point about taxes. All these people are being fucked over by the central gov. they paid for. Unless they stop paying taxes and secede from the rest of Japan, I don't see much changing...

I wouldn't expect a complete separation. That would be a bad idea. Greater local autonomy could be achieved without completely dismantling the current system. In theory I think it could work, but you know the guys in Nagata-cho would fight tooth and nail to prevent it from happening. It would have to be forced, no doubt. How it could be forced in a controlled, civilized way ... I have no idea. Stranger things have happened though, so you never know.

[matsuki]

I wouldn't expect a complete separation. That would be a bad idea. Greater local autonomy could be achieved without completely dismantling the current system. In theory I think it could work, but you know the guys in Nagata-cho would fight tooth and nail to prevent it from happening. It would have to be forced, no doubt. How it could be forced in a controlled, civilized way ... I have no idea. Stranger things have happened though, so you never know.

I'd be all for it but if it doesn't happen after this disaster, I doubt it ever will.

[2triky]

I'd be all for it but if it doesn't happen after this disaster, I doubt it ever will.

Seriously, that's the thing...how big of a catastrophe needs to occur before a real paradigm shift in thinking takes place?

[Yokohammer]

I'd be all for it but if it doesn't happen after this disaster, I doubt it ever will.

Seriously, that's the thing...how big of a catastrophe needs to occur before a real paradigm shift in thinking takes place?

I think you're both right about that.

Just remember that this is a country in which even revolutions can take a reeealy looooong tiiiime ...

It's all about setting the wheels in motion with enough inertia that change becomes inevitable. I think we're seeing a glimmer of that now, but of course I don't know where that'll go, if anywhere.

[Ganma]

Actually the government had been pushing for greater local autonomy at least since Koizumi's time, among other reasons to try to get local economies to take off as disappearing communities across the country have become a problem over the past 10 years or so. So I don't thing there are as many barriers as one might think.

Edit:
But like chokonen888 says about taxes, taxes going into local govt. pockets and going no further is a problem. What's happening now is people are motivated to act without money, pooling their own resources. It's a good sign IMO.