Final answer:
Japanese students helped strangers in Watsonville, California post-earthquake due to their empathetic connection and understanding of disaster impacts, manifested in strong community values and mutual support shaped by Japan's historical experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The students from Japan decided to help strangers in Watsonville, California after the 1989 earthquake out of a deep sense of empathy and solidarity, understanding the devastation and chaos that can be caused by such natural disasters. Japan's own experiences with frequent earthquakes, such as the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and the challenges posed by World War II and its aftermath, had cultivated a strong sense of community and mutual support within Japanese society. This, in turn, may have influenced the Japanese students' decision to use their own money to fly to California and assist with relief efforts, providing shelter, food, and clothing, as well as bringing a sense of understanding and global community to the victims.