A Japanese reporter complained about donating a thousand paper cranes to the disaster area, netizens: Then gold ingots

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"There is no longer a need for a thousand paper cranes in the disaster area!" is not a voice from an ordinary victim, but a monologue by a Japanese journalist. Behind the post-disaster assistance, there is a heated discussion on social media because of a special donation item. In this story, we not only see the expression of love, but also get a glimpse of the deep considerations behind the act of giving.

?—— [Earthquake Impact·] ——?

At the beginning of 2024, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck the Noto area of Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, bringing a series of chain reactions such as tsunamis, infrastructure destruction, power and water outages. The death toll of 84 people is staggering, and the successive earthquakes that have followed have posed unprecedented challenges to rescue operations. Although the Self-Defense Forces were dispatched urgently, the needs of the victims were higher than expected. On the first night after the disaster, the distribution of relief supplies was stretched thin, and the victims had to find shelter in the limited stadiums.

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In the aftermath of the disaster, a surprising point of controversy has emerged: the thousand paper cranes. This traditional handmade origami represents good wishes in Japanese culture, however, the sheer number of paper cranes has caused a controversy on social media. A journalist wrote in the Sankei Shimbun newspaper that donating 1,000 paper cranes was not practical in disaster relief, but instead took up transportation resources. This sentiment resonated with many of the victims who called for more tangible assistance, such as food and drinking water.

?——【History of a Thousand Paper Cranes】——?

However, there is a long history of why the Japanese are so obsessed with paper cranes. In Japanese culture, the thousand paper cranes are regarded as a mystical symbol, and folding a thousand paper cranes is said to grant a wish. Therefore, people often give thousands of paper cranes to relatives and friends, pinning dreams and wishes. Representing hope, peace, and happiness, the crane became a way for people to express their emotions and convey their blessings. In the face of disaster, the thousand paper cranes became a special way to express support and blessings.

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However, there is not only one time in history when the donation of a thousand paper cranes has caused controversy. In the 2018 heavy rainstorm in western Japan, a large number of paper cranes were received in the affected area, but these cranes ended up piling up in warehouses and could not play any practical role. In other international disasters, such as the earthquake in Turkey and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the Japanese tried to show their support by donating a thousand paper cranes, but they were politely refused. This phenomenon has led to a deep reflection on the fact that the Thousand Paper Cranes are too romanticized and ignore the actual needs of disaster relief.

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In the face of disaster, love is a heart-warming force, but the way it is expressed needs to be more tangible. Although the thousand paper cranes carry good wishes, a large number of donations may lead to waste of resources and logistics congestion, and do not bring substantial help to the actual needs of the disaster area. In future aid operations, it is crucial to pay rational attention to the real needs of the disaster areas to ensure that every love can actually help the affected people. At the same time, he called for a rational view of the phenomenon of thousands of paper crane donations, respect the needs of the affected people, and contribute more practical strength to the reconstruction of the disaster area.

In the era of information overload, we have not only seen the brilliance of humanity in disasters, but also the controversy of traditional cultural symbols in reality. Deep thinking and rational action are the way forward for us, so that every aid can give practical help and support to the people affected by the disaster.

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