Looting: Nature or Nurture?

As we discuss whether looting, and the application of that label in a selective manner, is a cultural phenomenon... I thought I'd mention that some influences are much more direct than culture.

Of course, that could never happen in a civilized country.

So, although I can easily envision money or political hay being made after disasters such as Katrina or Haiti -- (whipping up sentiment against the lower classes is always profitable, especially where the possibility of land redistribution in favor of the tourist/lesiure sector is present) -- I'm having a lot more trouble envisioning the Japanese government having any reason to introduce agents provocateurs. Hence, "surprisingly few" reports of looting. That might simply be my own ignorance about Japanese culture, but one might also argue that our expectations of what is a "normal" amount of looting have been heightened after observing many situations exacerbated by agents provocateurs.