In the 17th century, as Jared Diamond points out in his seminal book, Collapse, the Tokugawa Shogunate reforested Japan, denuded by development, and saved it from the kind of ecological catastrophe that struck the Mayans. Though one of the most densely populated countries in the world, 70 per cent of Japan today is covered by healthy forests.

Yeah, but they are ripping Australia and others of their forests. And they are still into "scientific" investigation of whales' extinction chances.

But Japan may be a relatively good place to survive a global collapse or a climate (if not seismic) mess. Just because of their traditional attitude.