A couple of years ago, some of my Japanese friends threw a surprise party to celebrate the 30th anniversary of my arrival in Japan. The fun-filled evening took a serious turn when, well after midnight, one friend made a speech that ended with the following question: "Jesper, you have lived and worked here in Japan for three decades now. After all this time, what have you actually learned about us Japanese?"

Somewhat lost for an answer, I offered a couple of thoughts and after some heated discussions the group and I agreed on the following answer: Jesper's Japan Wisdom Rules are: No. 1 — never ever underestimate the ability and willingness of the Japanese people to suffer together. And No. 2 — never ever underestimate the ability and willingness of Japan's ruling elite to make sure rule No. 1 is applied.

The exercise of power truly does differentiate Japan from other countries. Recall the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster when the Emperor himself addressed the nation and asked for the people to pull together. Requests to save energy were immediately answered and so effectively that all districts and areas actually saved more energy than had been requested. Not a single electricity blackout occurred (except for planned rolling blackouts in some areas) despite a loss of almost a quarter of power-generating capacity. In contrast, the recent rationing of water during the droughts in California led to an immediate surge in water demand — everyone rushed to be first in line. Me first versus all together now.