Japanese Earthquake, March 11, 2011

On behalf of the New Zealand School of Export I offer my condolences to all those affected by this terrible disaster. Inevitably since Japan is one of our major export destinations, our exporters will be linked with distributors, logistics companies and others directly caught up in these events.
Ben Macintyre writing for the Times, republished in the Dominion Post March 16th, in an article entitled Why Quakes Leave the Japanese Unshakeable  mentions the Japanese word gaman.   He says that it is 'a concept that defies easy translation, but broadly means calm forbearance, perseverance and poise in the face of adverse events beyond one's control.'  
We wish the Japanese international trade community ganbatte kudasai || stand firm, hold out.   Or in Maori kia kaha || be strong.