Il Giappone prevarrà

Che il Vostro regno possa durare mille, ottomila generazioni, finché i ciottoli divengano rocce coperte di muschio.

Questo scriveva un anonimo poeta del periodo Heian 10 secoli fa.
Poi musicato nel 1880 da Hayashi Hiromori, divenne l'inno nazionale del paese del Sol Levante.

Il santuario di Shimogamo a Kyoto custodisce il Sazare-Ishi, un cumulo di rocce circondate da un cordone, volto a simboleggiare l'incrollabile fede nella forza dell'unità sino alla completa trasformazione in masso.

Oggi Toshiro Tanimoto, professore all'Università di Tokyo spiega alla CNN perché alla fine il Giappone prevarrà ancora una volta sulle forze della natura.

Along with electricity blackouts, the government is warning that water quality may suffer temporarily. Spurred on by my wife, I run to a convenience store nearby and find nearly empty rows of shelves and just 10 bottles of water left. I am amazed that the owner is still selling the bottles at the regular price -- $1 each -- because I know I would pay twice as much. I briefly think about grabbing all 10 bottles, but decide to buy just five, because I know others will need them. I also trust clean water will be available for me if I run out. Maybe my neighbor will provide it, and not the government, but I will have enough. I just trust I will.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan said this was the worst crisis since World War II. But this country built the world's second-strongest economy in 40 years, starting from ashes. The ashes along the Fukushima coast might contain more radiation now. But I know this country can do it again. Dedicated people are focused on it. Don't bet against Japan -- trust it will prevail.