I would say this is a key factor. Another thing is that since the Japanese economic bubble burst in the early 1990s, their economy has shrunk for more than 10 consecutive years. The unemployment rate is still high and foreigners are seen as competitors who took away their jobs and hence more and more discrimination against foreigners.Originally posted by SilverPal:Could it e a Jap superiority complex that causes them to hate and despise Koreans and Chinese?
Originally posted by kheldorin:Of course it is strategic. Koizumi is leveraging on international sympathies to pressurise China against vetoing its bid for the U.N. Security Council seat.
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has expressed "deep remorse" over Japan's wartime aggression in Asia at the Asia-Africa summit in Jakarta.
I suspect that this apology is merely strategic as Japanese MPs recently
visited the War Memorial and the issue regarding the textbook was not
dealt with.
...
China has not helped itself in this matter. It displayed what people think as a conduct unbecoming of a future superpower.
So, round 1 to Japan. Next move.
Ah, but the existing superpower is a known factor while China is still unknown. That's why during these periods, countries are scrutinizing and judging China's foreign policies, deciding whether having China as a superpower would be best for the future. This is especially true for the Europeans countries as they are not part of Asia and may not benefit much or could be threatened by Asia's growth. The shift of power from the West to the East may also be uncomfortable to them as they are not as familiar with the culture. They probably prefer India as a superpower as India was a former colony and has retained a Western structure while China's structure is different. Europeans are also critical of China's past and its human rights record.Originally posted by Tuatau:China may have displayed "what people think as a conduct unbecoming of a future superpower", but has the existing superpower been any better?
"WE SHALL PREVAIL."
- President George W. Bush
Originally posted by kheldorin:True. A lot of Chinese people around the world are closely following the news to see how China is going to engage US and Japan in power play games. And they aren't just getting their news from the Western media. The 22 million signatures obtained around the world for the online petitions against Japan's U.N. Security Council permanent seat bid have proven the far reach of the Asian media as well.
The global media is also still mostly controlled by US and Britain. They can still influence public opinion and portray China's moves in a harsher light that what it actually is. The Europeans are still pretty neutral so far. I wonder what Japan, US and Taiwan is going to do about that.
Originally posted by kheldorin:Ah, but the existing superpower is a known factor while China is still unknown. That's why during these periods, countries are scrutinizing and judging China's foreign policies, deciding whether having China as a superpower would be best for the future.
The global media is also still mostly controlled by US and Britain. They can still influence public opinion and portray China's moves in a harsher light that what it actually is. The Europeans are still pretty neutral so far. I wonder what Japan, US and Taiwan is going to do about that.[/b]Agreed with that. In fact, this BBC report mentioned earlier is a rarity in Western media on about how nationalism is taking hold in Tokyo
By looking at the whole political developments within Japan, it is very clear that Japan is re-militarising itself again in a big way. The world has to keep an eye on its ulterior motives in dealing with Japan. Other countries must form alliances in case Japan decides to ally with USA to control Asia.Originally posted by Gun:Agreed with that. In fact, this BBC report mentioned earlier is a rarity in Western media on about how nationalism is taking hold in Tokyo


Sigh..... I see the same thing.Originally posted by robertteh:By looking at the whole political developments within Japan, it is very clear that Japan is re-militarising itself again in a big way. The world has to keep an eye on its ulterior motives in dealing with Japan. Other countries must form alliances in case Japan decides to ally with USA to control Asia.![]()
![]()
![]()