Japan Earthquake Donation Backlash: Should We Give to a Wealthy Nation?

The hypocrisy is that if a major natural disaster hits the US , Americans would never refuse aid from other countries on grounds that the US is wealthy and doesn't need it. So why is it OK for the US to accept aid in these extreme circumstances but not Japan?

I need an address to send aide to a foreign aide to please help

Here are reasons why you should donate to Japan.

Some people are saying you shouldn't donate Japan because Japan is such a wealthy country. Its true that Japan is one of the wealthiest countrys and there are some poor countrys who are suffering.But, Japan needs to rebuild and get back to normal as soon as possible for the world.There are a lot of people related to Japan all over the world.Billions of people work for Japanese companies like SONY, NISSAN,TOYOTA, TOSHIBA, SANYO, NINTENDO, SHISEIDO here in US.If those companies goes to bankrupt, it would cause a lot of economic damage all over the world including the US. Not only people who work for Japanese companies, but there are also a lot of people related to Japan. BESTBUY makes a lot of benefit from selling PS3, A lot of artists go to Japan tour and sell a lot of tickets and CDs, Japanese people spend a lot of money for traveling outside of Japan (in fact, after the earthquake, its so quiet in Hawaii because of no tourist from Japan), and many book stores and TV companies make benefits for selling Japanese comic books, and playing Anime.

Some people say its not fair to help rich country, but why not? Japan has been helping so many countries, but they don't get helped when they are in crisis? Because of they are rich?

Its like if you are a doctor, and there are 2 patients waiting for your operation. You can only help one. One is always been your client and support you a lot, and the other is poor. You choose poor one only because you feel more sorry for the poor one?If you help Japan, Japan will be able to help Africa after they get back to normal and work hard again.

Japanese people have strong obligation. I'm not saying those people in poor countries don't have such things, but there are not much they can do.

31million dollars donated to Africa from Japan last year. It won't be that much until Japan will get back to normal.Also in economy side, Japan needs to get back to normal as soon as possible.

The money you were going to spend for Japan is definitely worth it if you choose right organization.

There is a news that American red cross gathers all money for Japan, but they decided to send it to Japan for only 10%, and rest of the money goes to other places.It's just not fair. People who donate money were wishing it goes to Japan. They can't decide where money should go. What if your kid is in some other country, and you send money to the school the kid goes to, and the school decided to give these money to other kids because they are poor even though your kid is in crisis and need money.

I'm not trying to say you shouldn't donate money to other country, but it doesn't make sense that you don't need to help Japan because Japan is a wealthy country. They weren't naturally wealthy, (look their products, its all creativness) they made effort to be wealthy. They dohave rights to get donated. And you don't have rights to stop people to donate to Japan.

By the way, people in Japan don't say "DONATE US". They are not just begging help or appealing. They are trying to stand up by themselves. Is it too bad to help them?

Don't get me wrong, donating to Africa is still good thing. If you have money to give and you are willing to do it, go ahead. But I disagree that money that supposed to go to Japan is taken for other reasons.

However, i think Japan is need some help!

People of Sendai and nearby cities of Japan today are still without water, food and other essentials in the sub-zero temperature. We, the people can help all of those who are in need, because we are decent and caring human being. There are many Americans, Africans, Asians, Europeans, Central/South Americans and more, who are decent and compassionate of others. God bless us all who gives.

I agree with the comments that say we should help Japan, whether it's because they've helped us (undeniably, a wealthy nation) in our time of need or simply because there are people suffering and money would help.

What I want to know is why there isn't a celebrity telethon for Japan like the ones that were held for 9/11, Katrina, Indonesia and Haiti? These celebs make a lot of money in Japan. Why isn't there a concerted effort from the ranks of Clooney, Madonna, etc. to help?

its a shame! most of the donations are collected by americans in the name of japan !its the american red cross which is collecting the maximum,peta the next

Be sure you know what you're talking about from your armchair because lives hang in the balance here. I think Katrina proved that people will die and suffer unnecessarily when disaster strikes even in "wealthy" countries. No effort to get aid to the afflicted should be hindered at this time. Be sure that's not what you're doing.

What a Dumb Premise, for an article! All I'd ask you is: Did the Japanese stand up and help us after Katrina, and aren't we the most Wealthy Country in the World in terms of Resources?

Extending your premise that wealthy Countries shouldn't get assistance in Natural Disasters to reduce their death toll, one should immediately ask why anyone else would ever help us in a similar situation!

It's not even a question of reciprocation, but one of morality! Just what has happened to this selfish "Me" centered Country?

Please consider this before you speak - is this what you want to hear If you yourself went through 9.0M earthquake, massive tsunami, then loose your family and friends, loose your house, live with nuclear scare, then shortage of electricity, water, gas and food? Go through that once for a god sake. I think you owe more than just an apology to Japanese people and those helping them (including Americans).

Some Japs were left with no homes, and jobs. I'd say we should help them http://www.usajobcentral.net/

now we must carefully with nuclear impact...

This is a ridiculous post! Charity donations can help send in foreign aid in the form of clean up teams and medical assistance. People aren't just giving money to the government saying 'hope this helps', they are giving donations to charities that are going to give direct support to those who have lost absolutely everything.

I am what one would call an absolute asshole under almost any circumstance, but these comments are that of those who are mentally deficient. Not only is it the morally right thing to do, but it is also wise in the practical sense. Japan's current state has an effect on every nation, not to help them would just hurt us in the long run.

Wealthy or Not? A Person is a person. Christian's have the "Good Samaritan" as all religions have a similar parable. Who cares if they are Japanese, American, Hindu, Athiest, Agnostics? People ARE people. Be the person everyone else wants to be!

Several different reports have stated that the people of Japan donated $25 million to Katrina relief...Katrina happened in the richest country in the world. Why would we not try to help them?

Was New Orleans "Wealthy?" Didn't even Hugo Chavez offer to help the United States after a battering from Mother Nature? I would Put the U.S. on par with Japan as a wealthy nation. People cannot control the elements No matter what Glen Beck or other wannabe soothsayers/IDIOTS try to convince us. This was the "perfect storm" that hit Japan. We should acknowledge that and assist. Very bad situation, BUT there is a solution! Let's find it!

Wow this makes a lot of sense.

www.anon-tools.es.tc

Considering that the both the various governmental bodies and the common people of Japan rallied so generously after the Katrina disaster, it seems rather ungracious to suggest that we don't help out the Japanese with whatever aid that we can give them.

Tell that to the millions of dollars and help that Japan gave us during Katrina. Japan has been a solid ally for many years, and printing money does not solve the problem. In fact, it causes even more long term problems because it weakens the currency. It was only done to help the short term crisis that they are going through.

These people were a totally chill group of folks who lived and loved and existed in peace. Not only did they get nailed with a 8.5 Earthquake, they were smacked with a Tsunami, and now are likely to become radioactive like their country's forefathers. On top of all of that, with Japan out of the picture, the North Koreans just got that much stronger. The strength of Japan is directly linked to our national security.

You are heartless. Show a little compassion, you ignorant tool.

To help, not to help, it is not about who you are helping, it is about your caring and compassion for people who are suffering.

This article should be buried!

There may be some truth to this argument, but refusing to donate to a country simply because of it's wealth is ignorance. The wealth is not where it needs to be to provide the necessary immediate relief.

What John Carney says is true though. The main issue is donating to a cause that's locked into a specific disaster/issue.

"When I met I met with researchers trying to determine how to get organizations to coordinated better they told me of one organization in Sri Lanka that was building what they described as mini-mansions. This was done because the organization had too much money earmarked for the number of houses they were building, so they were forced to overbuild to ensure that all the earmarked money was spent according to donor directives."

http://goodintents.org/choosin...

I don't know who you people are? but who the hell are you people to make a heartless & cruelty coment like that .maybe you are the prejudice son of a bitch

This is an absurd argument. The country is wealthy but it doesn't mean there's a lot of money sitting in a bank somewhere -- as we've learned, the banks and other institutions of the rich are obligated to be greedy, no matter how much people suffer. It's up to the people, whether rich or middle class or even working class, to do what they can to alleviate the suffering of others. And when we suffer our disasters, we've seen that "the system" is slow to respond. The institutions of wealth and power are tight fisted, but the people have been quick to donate.

unlike haiti the governmental officials in japan won't steal the money