The tragedy in Japan is beyond description not only in loss of life, but in total destruction of areas of a once beautiful country. As many have written lately, not since the end of WWII has the country suffered so much. The war was of their choosing, so most Americans at the time felt little if any sympathy, and most rejoiced at the fall of Japan. But now, with the recent powerful earthquake and tsunami in northern Japan, and the impact that is having on a much different people than those we fought so hard against from 1941 to 1945, most of us stand ready to provide whatever support we can. We may soon need Japan's help in return.
The world (especially the USA) relies on Japan for numerous very important electronic and other high technology goods, photographic equipment, and automobiles just to name a few important product areas. In some instances, items made in Japan are not made anywhere else...and that's going to effect us all...soon. Prices are already rising on some high-end photographic equipment, inventories of key electronic components such as flash memory and silicon chips are growing smaller, and soon the law of supply and demand is going to become very much a driver of higher cost for many items we use every day. Shortages loom on the horizon. This, on top of an already stressed world and national economy.
Yes, Japan is that important. They need our help for sure, but the same is going to be true the other way.
