I write columns and diaries about whatever I want, and I don't think there have been many cases where the content of my columns and diaries has come under fire.

Why?

Because we try not to respond immediately.

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Expressing one's opinion immediately after an incident is a bad idea.

First, if you base your opinion on an incorrect news source, you are expressing an opinion you do not intend.

However, that unintended opinion becomes "fixed" in the world as your opinion.

Next, within a few days to a week, the facts will become clear, and the direction of public opinion will be set.

To avoid a firestorm, you must ride the direction of public opinion -- in other words, you must be opportunistic.

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In contrast, if I go head-to-head with public opinion, I will only announce considerable time and exhaustive research and calculation.

This is less inflammatory because it will require the same degree of research and calculation from those who refute me.

Many people don't want to spend the time to do the research and calculations.

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So, let me summarize,

(1) I do not respond immediately but assess the facts and public reaction.

(2) I will let most opinions side with my opinion.

(3) If I decide against (2) above, take sufficient time to exhaust my research and calculations.

So, I guess that is what I will call my fire prevention.

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I was just watching "NHK Special: Selected Video Recordings - The Great Kanto Earthquake: Three Days of Imperial City Devastation,"

It is said that during the Great Kanto Earthquake, 321 people were slaughtered, according to official records, and tens of thousands of people unofficially due to the rumor that "Koreans are setting fires" and "Koreans are poisoning wells" (of course, I am well aware of this story as well).

This is "the massacre of Koreans by Japanese officially recognized by the Japanese nation" by our Japanese (ancestors).

I am confident that I (Ebata) would also lose my sanity in a panic if a catastrophe of this magnitude occurred.

My threshold for anger is so low that I think I would quickly lose my sanity and easily become complicit in the slaughter.

I don't think that "I (Ebata) am the only one who can act rationally."

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So, I am always thinking,

"Even if I want to kill someone, wait a week before I do it."

This is the only thing I can say to myself.

If, even a week later, I decide that this fact will not change, I can join the slaughter at that point.