Life in Japan was turned upside down on March 11. A 9.0 earthquake struck in the north of Japan, followed by a massive tsunami. The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, damaged by the tsunami, stands at the brink of nuclear meltdown. Tens of thousands are dead or missing. Entire towns were wiped off the map. In a country that is ostensibly well developed and best prepared to deal with such natural disasters, the authorities and the people appear to be at a total loss.