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A rare reformist zeal is emerging in post-quakeJapan. The government ignores it at the countrysperil 震后日本出现了少见的改革热情。政府不顾国家安危，对此置若罔闻 THERE is something awe-inspiring about theJapanese on a mission. During Golden Week holidays this month, thousands of volunteershelped to sift through the muddy wreckage left by the March tsunami. Stricken roads, bullettrains and factories have returned to normal with astonishing speed. In peoples ardour torebuild, once-taboo ideas are emerging on how to reform and deregulate not just thedamaged areas but the country at large . The government urgently needs todevelop a sense of mission, too. 重任在身的日本确实有令人敬畏之处。就在这个月的黄金周假期期间，数千名志愿者帮助清理三月海啸留下的废墟。受灾道路、高铁和工厂都以惊人速度恢复正常运转。与人民的重建热情共同高涨的，还有一度被视为禁忌的观念，即：如何对受灾地区、甚至对全国进行改革，解除管制。政府当前也亟需树立使命感。 日本工业生产与过去相比的变动幅度 The combined power of a quake, tsunami and full-scale nuclear accident has jolted whateversense of complacency the Japanese had about the resilience of their country. The ham-fistedefforts of Tokyo Electric Power to stem the crisis at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear-power plant have exposed the company for what it is: an inept monopoly so big it could co-opt or run rings around its regulators. It should be broken up. Meanwhile, the smashed-upfishing fleets and sea-swamped rice paddies in the north-east have prompted discussion onbringing private investment into these heavily protected areas which no longer provide a futurefor the young. Many are championing the idea of special economic zones in the north-east,which would free the area from the cats cradle of rules imposed from Tokyo that hamper freeenterprise. All of these are good ideas. But they will wither unless the central governmentthrows its weight squarely behind them. | 
