4 ms·

Considering the history of Japan, China, and the rest of East Asia, along with the apparent weariness of the US defense guarantee, nobody can blame Japan for wa

Considering the history of Japan, China, and the rest of East Asia, along with the apparent weariness of the US defense guarantee, nobody can blame Japan for wanting to begin strengthening itself militarily. They'd be stupid not to. While Japan does not have nuclear weapons at the moment (allegedly), it's assumed that they have the capabilities in place to weaponize themselves very quickly (months?) should the need arise.

flukus 9y ago
> Considering the history of Japan, China, and the rest of East Asia, along with the apparent weariness of the US defense guarantee, nobody can blame Japan for wanting to begin strengthening itself militarily. They'd be stupid not to. Why? I'm not particular familar with the regions history, but from the last ~150 years or so China and Korea should be scared of Japan, not the other way around.
- deleted 9y ago
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alphonsegaston 9y ago
Stupid is what the conservatives have been doing for decades, namely leaning on their relationship with the US as an excuse to take a grotesque stance towards their own history. Japan, had it followed a similar course as Germany, could have reconciled themselves with the countries they tried to conquer and built a true economic union with Taiwan, Korea, and others in the region, which would have acted as a true check on a rising China. Instead, and admittedly with the encouragement of the US, they took a "temporarily embarrassed imperial" stance, cultivated an irrational and racist belief in their own inherent economic superiority, alienated their neighbors, and gave China an international relations scapegoat for anytime it was useful. The idea that they're some victim of Chinese circumstances with rising militarism as their only option ignores the decades of short-sighted conservative policy that put them in such a vulnerable position.
- mistermann 9y ago
  Considering the majority of China's technical capability was gifted to them from western corporations, I don't think Japan's belief in their economic superiority was irrational, it was simply an observation of reality. Afaik they do consider themselves racially superior though.

flukus 9y ago

> Considering the history of Japan, China, and the rest of East Asia, along with the apparent weariness of the US defense guarantee, nobody can blame Japan for wanting to begin strengthening itself militarily. They'd be stupid not to. Why? I'm not particular familar with the regions history, but from the last ~150 years or so China and Korea should be scared of Japan, not the other way around.

deleted 9y ago
[deleted]

alphonsegaston 9y ago

Stupid is what the conservatives have been doing for decades, namely leaning on their relationship with the US as an excuse to take a grotesque stance towards their own history. Japan, had it followed a similar course as Germany, could have reconciled themselves with the countries they tried to conquer and built a true economic union with Taiwan, Korea, and others in the region, which would have acted as a true check on a rising China. Instead, and admittedly with the encouragement of the US, they took a "temporarily embarrassed imperial" stance, cultivated an irrational and racist belief in their own inherent economic superiority, alienated their neighbors, and gave China an international relations scapegoat for anytime it was useful. The idea that they're some victim of Chinese circumstances with rising militarism as their only option ignores the decades of short-sighted conservative policy that put them in such a vulnerable position.

mistermann 9y ago
Considering the majority of China's technical capability was gifted to them from western corporations, I don't think Japan's belief in their economic superiority was irrational, it was simply an observation of reality. Afaik they do consider themselves racially superior though.