Japanese Fears

Working in Japan has necessitated learning the language (Japanese monkeys do not speak English). The other day, following the unsettled weather and seismic events of the past couple weeks, my teacher told me about the top fears of children in Japan, and how they have changed.

Previously, the top three were:
1. Earthquakes (on average, Japan has one every 5 minutes)
2. Lightning (the god is pictured)
3. Fathers (the phrase "lightning strikes" was often used to mean "father yelling")

Now, however, the top fears are:
1. Earthquakes
2. Lightning

Fathers, according to my teacher, "have gotten weak."