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> I'm not seeing a way forward for them as a technological power again until they first address some of their social issues Japan closed its borders for a peri

> I'm not seeing a way forward for them as a technological power again until they first address some of their social issues Japan closed its borders for a period of 214 years known as Sakoku 鎖国. The collapse of the Shogunate was because Samurais lived off tax revenue on farmers, while the wealthy merchants ( who were the the lowest in the class system) were not directly taxed because commerce was viewed as an immoral activity. After World War II, Japan became insular and focused on improving domestically, and almost became the superpower. I don't think they care about being the financial superpower if it means having to give up the very thing which makes them great ( tradition ). It's a very American ideal / virtue to treat financial wealth as the ultimate goal ( ironically not necessarily the highest standard of living ). Modern China on the hand is more willing to import ideas. That said, during the Meiji restoration where Japan rapidly industrialized, one of the mottos was 'western technology, Japanese spirit'. Covid-19 has barred out foreigners which means less tourist revenue, but my impression is that tourist revenue was a 'nice to have' since they're here anyways. Only a small minority of business owners in Kyoto have indicated to me they actively want tourists back. Japan's preservation of its tradition and culture is two faceted. Unfortunately, you can't pick and choose the things you think is backwards about Japan while admiring their tradition. It's a bundle.

neither_color 5y ago
It's important to note that part of what contributed to Sakoku was overzealous missionaries destabilizing Japanese society. Makes you wonder if there is a modern equivalent overzealous belief system in the west that has caused country after country to to fall into revolution and disarray. Christianity and the two colonial powers it was most strongly associated with were seen as genuine threats by the Tokugawa bakuf... Religious challenges to central authority were taken seriously by the bakufu as ecclesiastical challenges by armed Buddhist monks were common during the sengoku period. The Empress Meishō (1624–96) also had grave doubts when she heard about how the Spanish and Portuguese were settling in the New World, and thought that Japan would soon become one of the many countries in their possession. Protestant English and Dutch traders reinforced this perception by accusing the Spanish and Portuguese missionaries of spreading the religion systematically, as part of a claimed policy of culturally dominating and colonizing Asian countries. The Dutch and English were generally seen by the Japanese to be able to separate religion and trade, while their Iberian counterparts were looked upon with much suspicion. The Dutch, eager to take over trade from the Spanish and Portuguese, had no problems reinforcing this view. The number of Christians in Japan had been steadily rising due to the efforts of missionaries, such as Francis Xavier and daimyō converts. The direct trigger which is said to have spurred the imposition of sakoku was the Shimabara Rebellion of 1637–38, an uprising of 40,000 mostly Christian peasants.
- alephnan 5y ago
  > Makes you wonder if there is a modern equivalent overzealous belief system in the west that has caused country after country to to fall into revolution and disarray. This is quite a profound point. Thank you!
- legutierr 5y ago
  > Makes you wonder if there is a modern equivalent overzealous belief system in the west that has caused country after country to to fall into revolution and disarray. Communism?
LargoLasskhyfv 5y ago
There are solutions for untangling gordian knots.

neither_color 5y ago

It's important to note that part of what contributed to Sakoku was overzealous missionaries destabilizing Japanese society. Makes you wonder if there is a modern equivalent overzealous belief system in the west that has caused country after country to to fall into revolution and disarray. Christianity and the two colonial powers it was most strongly associated with were seen as genuine threats by the Tokugawa bakuf... Religious challenges to central authority were taken seriously by the bakufu as ecclesiastical challenges by armed Buddhist monks were common during the sengoku period. The Empress Meishō (1624–96) also had grave doubts when she heard about how the Spanish and Portuguese were settling in the New World, and thought that Japan would soon become one of the many countries in their possession. Protestant English and Dutch traders reinforced this perception by accusing the Spanish and Portuguese missionaries of spreading the religion systematically, as part of a claimed policy of culturally dominating and colonizing Asian countries. The Dutch and English were generally seen by the Japanese to be able to separate religion and trade, while their Iberian counterparts were looked upon with much suspicion. The Dutch, eager to take over trade from the Spanish and Portuguese, had no problems reinforcing this view. The number of Christians in Japan had been steadily rising due to the efforts of missionaries, such as Francis Xavier and daimyō converts. The direct trigger which is said to have spurred the imposition of sakoku was the Shimabara Rebellion of 1637–38, an uprising of 40,000 mostly Christian peasants.

alephnan 5y ago
> Makes you wonder if there is a modern equivalent overzealous belief system in the west that has caused country after country to to fall into revolution and disarray. This is quite a profound point. Thank you!
legutierr 5y ago
> Makes you wonder if there is a modern equivalent overzealous belief system in the west that has caused country after country to to fall into revolution and disarray. Communism?

LargoLasskhyfv 5y ago

There are solutions for untangling gordian knots.