Top Story: 10. October 2009
Typhoon and the Beauty of a First Lady
By Editor in Chief, Jaakko Saari
It never fails to surprise me, the way how weather changes after typhoon. It's instant, and certain; after typhoon it's going to be a fine day.
But it's not the weather actually that keeps me surprised. It's the way how people behave during the typhoon and after it. Japanese people in general seem to have great trust in predicting the nature.
Fuji river after typhoon in Japan
When typhoon comes it rains and wind has gusts as strong as boxer's punch, people seem almost overly cautious. They close their storm shutters, make sure they have bottles of water in fridgerator. Sometimes they even fill their bath tubs with water, should the worst happen.
Relationships between people tighten, as the sky darkens. And the sea looks as overly dramatic as some of the Italian operas.
But then, suddenly it's like.. San Francisco again. The wind has cleansed the sky from clouds, and the blue gradient of sky is stunning. It happens instantly - just like that.
And people go out suddenly, play catch ball and hang their laundry outside. I hesitated to hang mine since I felt I can't be sure (I thought the sunshine is kind of too good to be true, but I was encouraged by the family next door). Japanese people know that once typhoon is gone, it's gone for good. It would indeed surprising if the typhoon should make U-turn.
It seems people have relaxed mood again after the storm is gone. I can sense feeling of relief in the air.
Could it be that this feeling is inherited from our ancestors, who have witnessed many recurring typhoons? Typhoons used to be much more big deal than they are now. Now, they are almost enjoyable event of fall, that some people even look forward.
It must have been a big relief for our ancestors, to notice that the storm was over, and they survived.
Speaking about typhoons, I think the new Prime Minister of Japan has brought a political climate change. I think he is great person. And I think that his wife Miyuki makes big influence to his image. She is always beaming, like sunshine after typhoon.
The way how she is so open and unique makes people feel relaxed. It makes people feel reassured that maybe Japan is not so bad place afterall. And they seem to have great relationship. I hope their unique and honest characters will bring a much needed change to Japanese politics.
I think typhoons and new prime ministers and their wifes remind us about the fact that everything in life is always in a flux, a constant change.
Typhoon will come again, and it will bring a change and fresh air. That much is certain.
