Japan's Resolve Is Found in Its Language

1. Shoga Nai

There are some things that people can control, and other things that can’t be helped. In my experience, making the distinction between those two categories can be a key to happiness. The phrase shoga nai means something like “it can’t be helped” and is used to dismiss anything that’s beyond one’s capacity to influence or prevent.

Shit happens. Shoga nai. The earthquake and tsunami were devastating. Shoga nai.

For someone like Rika, living in Tokyo, the nuclear threat is impossible to mitigate — shoga nai. Why stress? Better to keep plugging away, doing your best and making a difference where you can.

Here’s what Rika wrote:

Tim, you’re probably most worried about the radioactivity, right? That’s something that can’t be helped (shoga nai). We dealt with Hiroshima and Nagasaki, so we can deal with it again.

2. Ganbatte

If you go to a sporting event in Japan, you’ll hear fans yelling “Ganbatte!” to encourage the athletes on the field. Ganbatte is an exhortation to go for it; to do one’s best; to strive.

The workers who are struggling to prevent a meltdown at the nuclear plant in Fukushima are saying Ganbatte to each other. So are family members and politicians. All of the people of Japan are encouraging each other. If you are writing to a friend in Japan, put Ganbatte in the subject line of your e-mail. They will appreciate the sentiment.

3. Gaman

Every spring, Japanese families fly flags in the shape of carp, a fish that swims upstream like a salmon and symbolizes determination in the face of all obstacles.

For Japanese, the carp exemplifies the spirit of gaman — to struggle and persist in an endeavor without complaining, despite seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Many a schoolchild has been told to gaman while struggling over algebra homework. Businessmen gaman through their daily commutes. People in their fifties and sixties gaman as they care for elderly parents.

Japan will gaman through this disaster. Our support will help. Ganbatte, Japan.

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