Do you think it is natural that people are losing interest in the Tohoku reconstruction effort, especially considering how many natural disasters there have been in Japan since then?

No. Its not normal. But considering how apathetic the japanese public is its not surprising. But that's the LDP stategy.. keep people working 12-14 days 6-7 days a week with just barely enough pay to get by and what you get is a disengaged public that operates within a modern feudal system. Seen through that lens, it is very understandable that the public is losing interest in the reconstruction- but that doesn't make it natural

Aly, a "modern feudal system" is spot on! A patina of other ideas laid atop that foundation but chip away even slightly...

especially considering how many natural disasters there have been in Japan since then

How many natural disasters on a vaguely similar level have there been?

But but but - RECONSTRUCTION OLYMPICS (remember that from Shinzo-kun's greatest hits)

I have no sympathy whatsoever for the government and the nuclear village in Japan. The nuclear accident has been handled terribly and probably criminally. I personally believe this has happened because it was an industrial accident, which involves company solvency, and shareholders, and bought politicians. This is a crucial difference to a natural disaster, which is an Act of God.

Regarding the earthquake tsunami alone, my general feeling is that Japanese handles purely natural disasters quite well. Post-tsunami reconstruction though is far more difficult than post-earthquake reconstruction, which can be handled in the same locations with technology, stronger foundations, stronger buildings etc. The tsunami raises the issue of whether entire communities, if not simply vulnerable infrastructure like schools and hospitals, should relocate miles away to higher ground. This can take years to sort out.

Its only natural. It's been 8 years