Life’s a Riot Between the Wars, Part II
Funny how academics in China, a country with no democratic tradition (and no plans to introduce democratic reforms anytime soon) are fearful over recent elections in Japan.
Danwei translates several articles appearing in the mainland Chinese press, including a China Business piece written by academic Feng Zhaokui, who comes up with one of the more off-the-wall takes on the election:
In actuality, Koizumi has already declared that Japan will further increase cooperation with the US on all levels, including military cooperation. Japan’s “9.11″ election can’t help but remind one of elections in Germany in January 1933. In several areas, the two elections are distressingly similar:
They both occurred after a country, defeated on the battlefield, took steps to wipe away national humiliation and rise again; In both situations, a country shamed in military defeat felt persecuted, giving rise to politics of emotions, especially with regard to neighboring countries; In both situations, this “public pathos” was tapped to become an essential element in the political contest for votes, in the suppression of rational politics, and in the push toward a hawkish road; In both situations, a banner of reform was flown and the “ultra-appeal” of a party head was used to encourage voters to elect them; that party leader was a crafty, masterful actor during the electoral process; Both situations used the dissolution of parliament to give the ruling party an overwhelming majority of seats; They both want to revise the constitution to give their leadership and their successors more power, and to normalize the military by resurrect the nation’s army. While in Japan, and even within the LDP, it has not been merely one lone politician calling Koizumi “another Hitler,” (primarily out of displeasure with his dogmatic political maneuvering), it is probably premature to conclude that, in his foreign affairs strategies, Koizumi is preparing to go to war as “another Hitler.” We still need to carefully examine the kind of foreign affairs policies this new Koizumi administration follows after its ascension, and we must carefully examine what kind of successor Koizumi chooses.
With a billion people or so, it’s obvious that there’s going to be a multiplicity of viewpoints in China. More than ever, Japan must get its message out:
Anyway, the Koizumi-Hitler comparison is probably based on the Japanese prime minister’s visits to Yasukuni Shrine, where war criminals are buried. Although Koizumi’s visits to the shrine may appear to be a symptom of fascist or militarist tendancies, in reality he’s just being typically Japanese: when pushed, he just pushes back.
China will never be able to bully an economically powerful and culturally proud nation into resolving a troubled past. Reapprochment (if that’s the goal) will only be achieved through tact and diplomacy.
In the meantime, expect more bombast from China.
hi zakiah
FRCKN GAY
Nazi Germany: Semi-capitalistic ultra-nationalistic state.
Hmm…i wonder which Asian country could be described as such? I’ll give you a hint. It starts with “Chi” and ends with “na”.
September 23rd, 2005 at 5:34 amBut you know, I don’t think I would compare China with Nazi Germany, either. To do so is just inaccurate, and, to use the word again, bombastic.
September 23rd, 2005 at 5:37 amAlso, Japan has a respect for its citizens’ life and liberty, unlike some other large east asian nation.
September 23rd, 2005 at 8:57 amChina: Koizumi is New Hitler
Japundit has an entry that wonderfully demonstrates the anti-Japanese hysteria now running high in China (pictures alone are worth a visit to the link).
Only, it really is not a laughing matter. The irony is that ugly nationalism IS on the rise in E…
September 23rd, 2005 at 3:35 pmWell, I think you’re aware that the idea for calling Koizumi “worse than Hitler” didn’t come from China — it was Shizuka Kamei who, as part of his talking points, compared Koizumi’s strongarm tactics to the Fuhrer’s. The tabloids then picked it up and I’m sure the Chinese media ate it up once they got hold of it. Whether there’s any real comparison to Hitler is another story, but Kamei did beat out Horie in the election.
September 23rd, 2005 at 8:18 pmI agree — just replace “Japanese” with “human.”
September 23rd, 2005 at 8:55 pmOK，you worry that Koizumi is worse than Hitler.A lot of Japanese worry about that.
But,at first,you must worry about Military expansion of china.
CIA reported that Military expense of china is already over 100 billion dollars.
And you may not believe that,Military forces of China is not just Military forces.ARMY of china is Conglomerate
.For example, The engineer force do the earthwork. The transportation force do transportation business. The army has land,transportations, and communication networks,Cheap manpower
(private soldier,s salary is ６０Yuan a month
). Anything can be done if army thought that it does.
KARAOKE,Factory,farm,Security company, prostitution, drug, and real estate
oh!I cannot count!
(of course, there are illegal things in these business.but,Who can act against the army?)
anyway,China can greatly save military expense by this method. And, China buys and develops a large amount of arms.
Zhu ChengHu,who said 「Taiwan is a territory in China.
If the United States helps Taiwan, China will attack the United States with nuclear missiles.
The population of the earth has already exceeded the limit.
China destroys by China ..United States.. depending about nuclear
missileｓ,United States is made a chinese colony, china can become a
large country.
China will become a burnt ground.
However, we win at the end. ]
Summary
(http://english.epochtimes.com/change_edition.html
important things is here)
you say,[oh,no!he is crazy!]
YES,he is crazy,but Mao Zedong said
「Chinese will die by 500 million of 800 million if the United States fights
September 23rd, 2005 at 10:34 pmagainst China.
However, all Americans will die.
Therefore, China wins. 」
「It is not so serious if it sees from the galaxy even if a nuclear war happens in the earth. 」
ＩＮ chinese long history chinese Chinese experienced a lot of large population sharp decreases. (sometimes 40%~90%people were dead)
chinese doesn,t fear Nuclear Holocaust.
As a huge country with a with a huge population, and as a huge country with a huge operating budget, it stands to reason that China will have a large army. But is it effective? Can China project its power overseas? Does China need to? I think the answer to all of these questions is “no”. However, China can certainly bully other countries in the region (and around the world) in order to accomplish its aims, which is why JAPAN MUST STAND STRONG (cue martial music, cut to Mishima Yukio standing on the roof of the Defense Agency). Join S.H.I.E.L.D. and stop the Red Menace!
September 23rd, 2005 at 11:36 pmTo Adam: Yeah, I guess I should have mentioned the Kamei quote. Oh, but it would have so sweet if Horie had won…Kinda sad, too, because Kamei looks just like my late father-in-law. Whenever my wife sees him on tv she says “Papa!”
To Curzon: When I said “Japanese” rather than “human” I did so because I think there’s this perception that the Japanese are pussies, or, to be a little more sophisticated, the Japanese are very non-confrontational and will always avoid conflict. It’s true that Japan is a very calm and peaceful place (filled with people who push and shove and never hold the door open for you at the mall) but if you drop the gauntlet, you can usually provoke a fight. Trust me.
September 23rd, 2005 at 11:44 pmWell yes, I agree that Japan must get its message out. But to be able to get the message out, Japan will have to reflect on its past. As long as Japanese politicians don’t see a problem with Yasukuni, it will be very difficult to take Japan’s message seriously:
The cherry blossom trees in the front Yasukuni shrine bear white tags with the names of Imperial Army regiments and famous battleships. Behind the shrine is a stone monument in the shape of the globe, in memory of the kempeitai, the Japanese equivalent of the SS… I can’t adhere to your words that visiting Yasukuni is ‘typical Japanese’ reaction.
Japan should be more intelligent than the bullier instead of siimply bullying back.
September 23rd, 2005 at 11:47 pmVincent,
I just can’t agree that the kempeitai was the equivalent of the SS. The SS implemented an industrialized and institionalized system of mass murder that massacred 8 million people.
As for the Yasukuni visits, there is some debate as to whether or not the war criminals are indeed war criminals. Was Tojo a war criminal? His crime: he lost the war.
If Japan is going to reflect on its past, then the same must be said for every Western nation with a history of colonialism. It’s not like the Dutch were in Indonesia on a holiday. Or Britain in India. Or the Americans in the Phillipenes, the French in Viet Nam… Or Belgium in the Congo. I mean, the Belgians basically set the stage for the Rwandan genocide. (I’m being a little unfair here, Vincent, so I’m getting ready to ‘duck and cover’ in case you come out swinging).
Read Kobayashi Yoshinori and you’ll see what I mean in regards to how Japan feels about being painted as a colonialist agressor when no one else ever does.
I know we’re talking about Japan, here, but I would just reiterate the key messages: Japan is an open and democratic society with very low rates of infant mortality, etc, that also contributes to development around the world.
But, you know, I just wish people could get along. Let’s be friends. Let’s make money! (Sob)
September 24th, 2005 at 12:03 amI understand your point about colonizers taking this double standard and going after Japan…and I agree with it. They have really no right to say much I suppose.
But how do you feel about the people that were colonized themselves asking Japan to reflect on its past. Not the European/American colonizers of those countries, but the people that were colonized and then recolonized by the Japanese.
You speak of the Dutch in referenece to Indonesia, but what of the original residents of Indonesia – not their colonial masters. Do they hypothetically not have the right to feel pissed off at the Japanese because the Europeans had a field day in Africa? To me they just don’t seem to have anything to do with eachother, but it is offered up as some kind of rational.
Just curious, because I never hear any kind of answer when I ask this question..again and again.
What is your take on that?
Because the Japanese were late in getting into the imperial game do they get to go the last of the line when it comes to make crying apologies or just plain feeling sorry about it.
I am not trying to attack Japan. I have no qualms against it. I don’t want to be one of those ex-pats that takes part proxy nationalism. But I am trying to understand the logic.
September 24th, 2005 at 2:03 amWell, discussing hypothetical situations is interesting but rather pointless. I guess there are two assumptions:
1) Asians are still have unresolved issues that Japan address in order for everyone to be happy and peace to be maintained in Asia.
OR
2) Japan has apologized numerous times in numerous ways, and the people that are insisting Japan repent for past crimes are merely doing so to further their own political interests.
Even if you think in terms of the latter assumption, as I do, there’s no doubt about it – there are still some issues that Japan must address: use of biological and chemical weapons against civilians and soldiers, sexual slavery (i.e. comfort women), abuse of POWs.
But to use these issues as examples of Japan’s potential as a threat to Asian security is just ridiculous.
I don’t know: are Indonesians stiled riled up about Japan?
September 24th, 2005 at 2:13 am“yasukuni Shrine, where war criminals are buried.”
There is no bodies or bones in Yasukuni.
September 24th, 2005 at 6:58 pmYasukuni isn’t graveyard.
Vincent
What about your King’s atrocities in Congo?
September 24th, 2005 at 7:02 pmHas Belgium made official apology?
Vincent:
It is astonishing to me that sort of comment comes from a citizen of a country that caused one the worst genocides in the history of the world.
African nations are really screwed up because of the European countries’ annexations.
Is the Belgium ever willing to straighten up Congo and apologies to citizens of the Congo?
September 24th, 2005 at 7:29 pmyeah, you can’t demand other people to “reflect on” its history unless you do your own. Besides, history is history. Present day people are not responsible for the past events.
September 24th, 2005 at 7:46 pmUnless we benefit from some of the terrible things our ancestors did. I’m thinking of the European colonization of the Americas here.
It is important for the present generation to take responsibility, I suppose.
September 24th, 2005 at 10:40 pmReally some astonishing comments here. European colonialism and the Japanese invasion of China and Southeast Asia are of course very different things (see Ian Buruma ‘The Wages of Guilt’ page 40). Very poor defense. I do not justify Belgium’s past. It is not because I’m a Belgian that you have to think that I agree with what Belgium has done in Africa or elsewhere. I’m not a defender of Belgium. It happened to be the place where I was born. It could have been elsewhere.
I live in Japan as a permanent resident and will live here probably until the end of my life (if the Japanese nationalists don’t kick me out some day, you never know). I like Japan and would like it to become even a better place. If Japan wants a real army, if Japan wants a permanent seat in the Security Council and if Japan wants to be a truly respected power in Asia, there is no point in avoiding Japan’s past by pointing to the past of other countries. That is not a solution: Japan will have to face the past to become real influential power this turbulent world. Simply pointing to the flaws of others will lead nowhere.
September 24th, 2005 at 11:12 pm“Japan will have to face the past”
As if Japan hasn’t done enough of that already. Koizumi could perform oral sex on every Chinese citizen and that still wouldn’t be enough for them.
September 24th, 2005 at 11:57 pmVincent, I appreciate you joining the dialogue here, especially considering your past role with the EU.
But you know, I’d like to know this: what does it mean for Japan to “face the past?”
What are some concrete things Japan can do that do in regards to this? I think it’s reasonable to say that the expectation is that Japan should “reflect” as Nazi Germany did following the end of WWII and the Holocaust, and then formally, as a society, reject its militarist past – sort of like de-Nazification.
But I’m going to argue that Japan has done this – think of the Peace Constitution – and, just like Germany, has paid reparations to the neighbouring countries that suffered so much from Japanese aggression up to 1945.
However, Nazi Germany and Showa Era Japan (up to 1945) were very different, and the difference, I would say, is the Holocaust.
Not to sound radical, but Japan’s colonialist aggression is pretty much characteristic of an industrialized nation-state in the 20th century.
But I’m not sure if it’s entirely correct to blame the Holocaust on Germans – it was a pan-European program, the ultimate manifestation of modernism, and could have happened in any industrialized country.
So what am I trying to say? There is no “right” and there is no “wrong” (though I’m sure glad the Americans won the war). Industrialized, capitalist nation-states are based on killing people. Why should Japan be forced to apologize for having lost a war?
September 25th, 2005 at 1:24 amI have an interesting read here with me, ‘たかられる大国・日本’(squeesed power, Japan) by Kazuyuki Hamada.
The author explains how China has been sponging money from Japan in the name of war responsibilities. It’s scary and ironic if you look at what she is growing to be with the help of Japan.
I too am curious to know what it is to ‘ face the past’, it sounds very much like religiously repeated tactical phrase that the Chinese and Koreans use.
September 25th, 2005 at 3:15 amIt’s no secret Japanese companies and institutional lenders have invested heavily in China, and why not? As well, the Japanese government has provided plenty of ODA funding, probably to foster goodwill and to further Japanese diplomatic goals.
But it’s hard to believe that Japan has been forced to give China money. Any money handed over to China was given with a purpose. Like I said, the Japanese aren’t pussies.
September 25th, 2005 at 3:21 amKokuRyu, I can understand your viewpoint. Of course we wish all people could get along. We have to fight against hatred. I can also understand the comments of Mazinger and Anonymous as I sound maybe arrogant to them. Nothing is black-white. The Japanese had certainly certain good reasons to go to war.
KokuRyu’s question: What does it mean for Japan to ‘face the past’? My family hated the Germans when I was I child. The Germans killed my mother’s father in France, my grandmother hid Jews in her home, the Germans requisitioned her possessions. When I was a kid we never went on holiday in Germany, we had no German friends, we hated the German language. But that all changed over time. We have seen that the Germans showed real repentance. It’s over. My family doesn’t hate the Germans anymore.
Germany faced the past completely. Japan not enough. A few examples: I have never seen a Japanese politician ever gone down on his knees, as Willy Brandt did in the former Warsaw ghetto. I have never seen a Japanese politician holding hands with the former enemy, as Helmut Köln and François Mitterrand did during a ceremony in front of the monument of the Unknown Soldier. I have never seen a war commemoration in the Japanese Diet as the German Bundestag (Parlement) does every year on January 27 tot commemorate the victims of concentration camps.
OK, Japan didn’t produce a holocaust. Nazism was worse. But still, what the former victims of Japan need is clear indications that Japan renounces clearly to its past. Does Japan face the past when Koizumi apologizes (April 22, August 15), but at the same time politicians of the LDP visit Yasukuni shrine? Does Japan face past when ultra-nationalist Ishihara, is reelected as governor in Tokyo with 70% of the votes? Does Japan face the past when the Ministry of Education approves revisionist history textbooks (although, I agree, most local Board of Education refuses the book)? Does Japan face the past when we hear everybody lamenting about the horrible consequences of the atomic bombs, but never hear analysis about what led to the use of the atomic bombs? Does Japan face the past when NHK can make a dramatic film about a Japanese soldier in a Russian gulah, but not about a war prisoner in a Japanese camp? Does Japan face the past when funds were found create in Kure a museum for the Yamato battleship because this ship was ‘ more beautiful than a woman’ without educating the visitor about the role this ship played in the war effort? Is Japan facing the past when in the middle of Tokyo next to the shrine for the war victims, you can visit a museum that gives a partial and manifest revisionist view of Japan’s war role? Etc,etc,etc.
Therefore, like my parents and great parents who hated the Germans, I can understand that many Asians still hate the Japanese today . As long as the apologies of Japan are not followed by real acts of repentance, Japan cannot expect to be forgiven.
September 25th, 2005 at 1:44 pmVincent
Did you foget
several PMs aplogized to the Asian nations?
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Koizumi and other PMs visit war memorials in China?
http://www.cn.emb-japan.go.jp/jp/2nd%20tier/05jckankei/j-c011102j.htm
the Lower House adopt a resolution Tuesday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II on August 2nd?
Has German made a peace treaty with Poland and compensated for war damages as she promised?
Has German taken away the right to seat parliament members from the NPD, which is considered a neo Nazi party?
Are they facing to the past?
Do you know what yasukuni means for Japanese? Are Japanese worshiping militarism by visiting Yasukuni?
September 25th, 2005 at 6:58 pmDo you know censorships are striclly forbiden by the constitution and have you read the textbook in question? http://www.tsukurukai.com/index.html
Do you know NHK broadcasted this,http://www.nhk.or.jp/peace/library/new85.html and Japananse are working hard on the problem of POW ?
http://homepage3.nifty.com/pow-j/e/index.html
Do you know Ishihara was elected not for his speech about iternational relations but for what he had done to Tokyo?
You said,
>If Japan wants a real army, if Japan wants a permanent seat in the Security Council and
>if Japan wants to be a truly respected power in Asia, there is no point in avoiding Japan’s
>past by pointing to the past of other countries. That is not a solution: Japan will have to face
>the past to become real influential power this turbulent world
Do you realize your criticism happens to be just repeating what China said?
http://www.china-embassy.or.jp/jpn/fyrth/t199141.htm
IF Japan does not appear to be showing enough repentance despite all the apologies and reparations, it is all in reaction against never-forgiving on-going campaign for those by Chinese and Korean governments. They have been constantly trying to undermine Japan’s reputaion, and Japan has the right to defend its standing. The Japanese taxpayers do not want to see their money going to meet the preposterous demands from countries that have no way guilt-free pasts.
September 25th, 2005 at 8:19 pmSoldier Britain who cooperated with Japan at World War I is held of a service in yasukuni, too.
September 25th, 2005 at 11:47 pmIf China criticizes President of the United States of America going to serviceman Arlington graveyard as “Symbol of the militarism invaded Korea by Korean War”, the American will be angry.
The nation collapses if China doesn’t do the anti-japan nationalism.
It might be cannibalism in Chinese as every age,if becoming it so.
chinese history Textbook is all covered with false or fool and Grudge to japan.
It is natural that Chinese suddenly became foolish in recent years.
The young person says only the same thing.
it is possible to do also with videotape or DVD.
They should reflect on Cultural Revolution again .
I suppose no one remembers when the Emperor stopped and visited the Korean Memorial in Saipan just this summer?
http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=48441
September 26th, 2005 at 1:28 pmActually, R.Numbskull, Japundit already covered this story. But it’s good you brought it up – the Emperor seems to understand what’s needed.
September 26th, 2005 at 2:44 pmVincent
September 27th, 2005 at 11:27 pmAn Analysis has been done.
USA didn’t have to use atomic bombs.
http://www.doug-long.com/hirosh2.htm
And some Japanese asked more:why was it that USA used it to one of Asian countries, but didn’t used it to German where white people lived?
Others speculate even further:USA just wanted to show its strength againt Russia. I am not a historian so I am not sure whether they are right or not.
But,can you speak out and ask people in Hiroshima to reflect on the reason that you think led to the use of the atomic bombs?
THE VITIMS WERE INNOCENT CIVILIANS.
I want to ask you what led USA to kill so many civilians regardless of the fact it had alternatives?
Good point. I’m from Canada, and I’d like to point out that the material for making the bombs came from our country, so Canada must assume some of the share of the guilt (assuming there is any) for dropping the bomb on Japan.
September 27th, 2005 at 11:56 pmActually Anonymous, that doesn’t hold up, the bombs just weren’t ready in time for Germany. And the German civilian population was just as much of a target as the Japanese were (google Bomber Harris, Dresden.)
I’m against their use, but let’s not latch too many conspiracy theories onto this.. Truman wasn’t THAT evil to just have done it as a warning for the Russians.
September 28th, 2005 at 12:27 am..And for something even more interesting, google for “incendiary bats” as well while you’re at it.
September 28th, 2005 at 12:30 amWho the heck is Doug Long, anyway?
September 28th, 2005 at 12:37 amTuesday Blogburst
Washington state blogger Mac, of Pull On Superman’s Cape, has some great photoblogging from Koishikawa Botanical Gardens at the University of Tokyo. You will find all 24 pictures most worthy. With an assist from Japundit, departed Seattle-ite James J….
September 28th, 2005 at 11:02 amwhat vincent is saying that because Belgium avoids facing its past,
October 6th, 2005 at 8:48 pmBelgium does not have a permanent seat in the SC and is not really a respected country in EU, I suppose.
It fits vincent’s way of reflecting things.