Massive quake hits Japan; Tsunami in Pacific, nations on alert

[SirClintonPortis]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

To Merry White, an anthropology professor at Boston University who studies Japanese culture , the real question is why looting and disorder exist in American society. She attributes it largely to social alienation and class gaps.

"There IS some alienation and indeed some class gaps in Japan too but violence, and taking what belongs to others, are simply not culturally approved or supported," White said in an e-mail.

Orderly disaster reaction in line with deep cultural roots – This Just In - CNN.com Blogs

Different social values? Yes. The Japanese do value the "good of the group" more than just the individual.

No Class gaps? I'm a little skeptical about that.