Can Japanese people transform the disaster into an opportunity to change?

Miyagi and Iwate prefectures were the most seriously damaged by the massive tsunamis on the 11th of March because the epicenter of the 3/11 earthquake was near to these prefectures. Since the ocean area around the epicenter is one of the three largest fishing grounds in the world, there were many major fishing ports in these prefectures. Sadly, almost all of them were completely washed away. When this serious situation in the tsunami-struck areas was revealed, I would often heard on TV that some fishermen were saying that they expected the fishing industry to take advantage of the disaster by using this time and to reform itself. They also said that they wanted to change things that they had never changed despite the realization that they had to. They expected both the central and local governments to take leadership in reforming the fishing industry based on a blueprint for it. I don't know much about the fishing industry. Still, I can see the necessity of the reform because it's been said that the primary industries of Japan need to be reformed, otherwise they won't have a future.

About a week ago, it was reported that a project was controversial. The project was launched by the governor of Miyagi prefecture to reform the fishing industry and rebuild major fishing ports in Miyagi. Although I don't intend to elaborate on it, the new plan seems to introduce some new ideas and could be damaging the interests of those who prefer to or want to stick to traditional systems. I don't know if the new ideas will help the fishing industry in the area come back and flourish. Still, I want the governor to introduce something new because changing things in itself is meaningful.

The need to be reformed is not particular to the fishing industry. As you may know, Japan has been struggling to get out of its sluggish economy for two decades. A lot of business leaders and big names in politics have reiterated that Japan needs to change its social structure and establish new business models to meet social demands. Despite their realization, many of them weren't able to take leadership in doing so. On the contrary, some intended to block or blocked attempts to develop new business models or to start new things. It seems to me that they didn't try to understand the attempts partly because the new ideas were far from their business tradition and culture, and partly because they don't like those who are still young but are willing to challenge vested interests.

I think that many Japanese people, especially younger generations, really want to change things that nobody was able to change because of the disaster. In my opinion, every single person is required to seriously think about what Japan should be like and to change themselves.