Kaleidoscope of the Heart: The importance of knowing our neighbors

The torrential rains that recently hit the island of Amami Oshima caused heavy damage and killed three people, reminding us of the deadly force of nature.

At the same time, images of the people on the island helping and supporting each other in this time of crisis seem to appear on the news every day. In one area, amidst the muddy floods, residents put the safety of the elderly above their own, helping carry them to safe locations. Other images show residents busily helping with efforts to check on the safety of elderly people in their communities, even as their own homes remain buried in mud. People collecting the pieces of their utterly destroyed homes have been shown, saying things like, "It's because of the people in the community that I can go on."

Seeing the strength of these community ties, there were surely many viewers who felt envious. There were also probably elderly residents and people living alone in the cities, people who have almost no contact with those living next door, who wondered with a chill whether anyone would come help them if disaster struck.

Bonds like the ones between the Amami Oshima residents cannot be formed overnight. They cannot be created if we only interact with others when it suits our needs. To forge these bonds, we are required to communicate with our neighbors regularly, respect the customs of the region where we live, and participate in traditional local events.

Thoughts like, "A festival? Ah, I'll pass," "What do I do for a living? That's a private matter, so I don't need to answer," or "I'm not going to get involved with any irrational local ceremonies," will not lead to those strong bonds. Even if it's bothersome, we have to devote a certain amount of time and effort to building relationships if we want to have those bonds.

However, can a person who has experienced the comfort of a more private lifestyle return to the community-building style and the effort it entails? I'm quite sure the answer is no.

In that case, for people who don't even know the names or faces of their neighbors, how should they prepare for disasters? No matter how much you research disaster preparation on the Internet, if your home is actually covered in a mudslide and there is no one to pull you out to safety, you won't survive. Even if you subscribe to a security service, by the time help arrives, it may be too late. When disaster strikes, help from those nearby is essential.

Perhaps, from now on, a new style of community relations will need to be considered, one that says, "Normally we live separately and privately, but in times of crisis we will help one another."

I wonder what I should say if, in my consultation room, a patient who lives alone says to me, "After seeing how people depended on their neighbors in Amami, I feel uneasy."

"I'm uneasy, too, you know!" That, at least, is the kind of snapback response I'll have to avoid. (By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)