We keep thinking of Japan's relations with Asian nations as if Japan is not part of Asia. It is, and should be more actively involved in regional affairs. Too many Japanese still feel more comfortable in Western countries than in Asia. I know that is changing but we need better relations with our neighbors, not just with countries 10,000 km away.
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We keep thinking of Japan's relations with Asian nations as if Japan is not part of Asia. It is, and should be more actively involved in regional affairs. Too many Japanese still feel more comfortable in Western countries than in Asia. I know that is changing but we need better relations with our neighbors, not just with countries 10,000 km away.
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I cannot help wondering who are "we" here - I mean, in your statement?
Your're in the US and according to your profile you've even never been to Japan...???
:?:?:?
= quote =
We keep thinking of Japan's relations with Asian nations as if Japan is not part of Asia. It is, and should be more actively involved in regional affairs. Too many Japanese still feel more comfortable in Western countries than in Asia. I know that is changing but we need better relations with our neighbors, not just with countries 10,000 km away.
= end of quote =
I cannot help wondering who are "we" here - I mean, in your statement?
Your're in the US and according to your profile you've even never been to Japan...???
:?:?:?
It is said often... Strangers at hand are better than relations afar
遠くの親戚よりも近くの他人
I know it's not a good example. it's a paradox.
Just I want to say, every country can choose her friend for the national interest. At least I don't think that we become good friends with the neighbors who burn our national flag and a portrait of the Emperor.
Of course you know that Americans never do that. There is a big difference.
However, Japan is a member of Asia. If our neighbors learn to respect other countries include Japan, all Asian countries will stand on the same starting line.
Then it becomes "Japan in Asia" not "Japan and Asia".
We keep thinking of Japan's relations with Asian nations as if Japan is not part of Asia. It is, and should be more actively involved in regional affairs. Too many Japanese still feel more comfortable in Western countries than in Asia. I know that is changing but we need better relations with our neighbors, not just with countries 10,000 km away.
JAPAN is not a part of Asia, and JAPAN is not a part of the West, either.
JAPAN is JAPAN, and a part of the world.
From Tokyo, only 10 hours to go to London by air.
From Tokyo, about 6 hours to go to Bangkok by air, which is the same flight hour between New York and Los Angeles.
JAPAN is not a part of Asia, and JAPAN is not a part of the West, either.
JAPAN is JAPAN, and a part of the world.
From Tokyo, only 10 hours to go to London by air.
From Tokyo, about 6 hours to go to Bangkok by air, which is the same flight hour between New York and Los Angeles.
Distance/Location is useless for consideration.
Japan is definitely part of Asia. If you take airplanes, the distances might look the same, but when it comes to shipping large quantities of materials and manufactured products, the geographical factor cannot be taken out. Importing large amounts of raw materials and exporting manufactured products are essential to the survival of the country. Oil cannot be shipped to Japan without securing the sea lanes from the Middle East.
Besides, the Chinese market became essential to the economy of Japan. China is part of Asia.
Japan is definitely part of Asia. If you take airplanes, the distances might look the same, but when it comes to shipping large quantities of materials and manufactured products, the geographical factor cannot be taken out. Importing large amounts of raw materials and exporting manufactured products are essential to the survival of the country. Oil cannot be shipped to Japan without securing the sea lanes from the Middle East.
Besides, the Chinese market became essential to the economy of Japan. China is part of Asia.
Don't worry ... in order to get out of "Asia", indicated by grapefruit, Japan is developing new energy as an aternative of petroleum. Over next ten years, the problem will be solved.
Regarding the Chinese market, Japan exports a lot of machinery and intermediate products for Japanese factories in China and Chinese companies who need to produce final products for the market o USA and EU. As far as I know, majority of Japanese export to China is not targeting Chinese consumrs.
In other words, it's not market yet as Chinese purchsing power is not good enough, but final destination is USA and EU.
Japan is always JAPAN, being not a part of so-called "Asia".
What about culture? Say, soy source, chopsticks, Chinese characters, Buddhism and Confucianism, Sumo , Zodiac animal symbols, Tango no sekku, tofu, soybean paste, and so on.:?
What about culture? Say, soy source, chopsticks, Chinese characters, Buddhism and Confucianism, Sumo, Zodiac animal symbols, Tango no sekku, tofu, soybean paste, and so on.:?
They are English-speaking, eating beef & pork, using knife & fork, mostly Christianity, etc. But they are not Europe, and not Asia, either. Culture is not important, either.
How about Australia/NZ?
They are English-speaking, eating beef & pork, using knife & fork, mostly Christianity, etc. But they are not Europe, and not Asia, either. Culture is not important, either.
That must be the reason why these countries would like to get into Asia, the "West", or "Pan-Pacific" so-and-so. They tend not to form their own regional group or unwilling to be part of it.
Mexico seems to be largely ignored from the group of "North Americans." Actually, the expression is unheard of. Usually, Canada and the US form "Americans" from the American (citizens of the US) point of view. I'm a bit curious about how Canadians see the region. I know that they are aware of the fact that their country is treated as the 51st state of the US.
Oh, then one key element might be the country's willingness to be incorporated into the regional society.
Another possible, related element could be the emotional tie. Most of Japanese feel comfortable with so-called Asian values (i'm not sure exactly what they mean, though) and people from Asian countries, compared to those from other regions.
During the Olympic Games, the Japanese media aired many emotional remarks on the greatness of Japanese athletes' achievements as Asians, such as "the first athlete in Asian who advanced to the final," "the first record broken by an Asian," and so on.
The argument that Japan is not part of Asia was used during the Meiji Period , when Japanese leaders felt despair having observed the conservativeness and unwillingness of surrounding Asian countries, more specifically China and Korea, to modify their societies to defend the threat of colonization from the West.
No such threat is present at this moment. Japan has no need to expand its borders. Anyway, isn't it easy to be an Asian than a world citizen? At least, all Asians suck at speaking English. Isn't it more beneficial if Asian countries can form the Asian equivalent of the EU in the future?
The argument that Japan is not part of Asia was used during the Meiji Period, when Japanese leaders felt despair having observed the conservativeness and unwillingness of surrounding Asian countries, more specifically China and Korea, to modify their societies to defend the threat of colonization from the West.
"EU" was a result of more political things. However, The countries in the region of Asia-Pacific is already integrated as economic zone. Plotical top-down is not necessary in the region, I believe. It is because the region is more mozaic than Europe in terms of religion, language, tradition, culture, level of wealth, politics ....
i think Japanese has the best culture compared to the other cultures ( chinese-phillipene-Corean ).i was surprised when i know the Japanese culture because it's very similar with the Arabic culture in their life.i really like it and i have a japanese friend and he is Muslim,he told me that he was surprised too when he know about islam and Arab,and when i watch the anime (old anime) i saw many things we share them with japanese.
For your info, Ms Yuriko Koike, one of candidates for next prime minister of Japan, is a graduate of Cairo University. When she becomes a PM, Japan may become more Arabic.
i hope japanese read about Arab and visit the Arabic and Islamic Countries,maybe the Language is a problem but at least we can make a relationship with Japanese.
Thanks Astroboy ^^
I knew Koike san from back when she was still minister of the environment. I saw her on TV in a documentary about Japan. She was talking in Arabic and she spoke really good!
the old anime like Rurouni Kenshin is the best example,there are many many things we hsare them especially in Yemen (my country).
i want to tell you about somthing suprized me in this anime,when they sneeze they think that someone talking about them,it's the same in Yemen.if i sneeze i really think that someone talking about me and i ask "hmmm who is talking about me ? "...
this is a simple example wich no one know that we share it with japanese ^^
The original comment applies to Australia as well. With the former John Howard government (Liberal party), America was the best friend, if the friend was wrong. America is still a friend but Australia is becoming more Asia-oriented, improving relationships with Asian countries, especially China. Kevin Rudd (the current prime minister, Labour party) is fluent in Mandarin and wants to make Australia the most Asia literate Western country, improving the culture and language education (including Japanese, Chinese Mandarin, Korean and Indonesian).
Japan and China, despite their mutual prejudices and grudges have very similar history. China can learn from Japan what they have forgotten during the last half century but Japan has preserved. For Japan, economic ties with China are very beneficial.
That's right. You don't have to change your race when you make friends with your neigbours. Besides, Chinese languages (Cantonese, Mandarin + some others) combined have become the 2nd most spoken language(s) in Australia after English, beating Italian and Greek. It's especially obvious in the big cities. The trend is, Mandarin alone to become the 2nd most spoken language.
By the way, Hezam, the Arabic speaking community is quite large too. I am learning (slowly) some Arabic too but my main focus is Chinese and Japanese.
Chinese languages (Cantonese, Mandarin + some others) combined have become the 2nd most spoken language(s) in Australia after English, beating Italian and Greek. It's especially obvious in the big cities. The trend is, Mandarin alone to become the 2nd most spoken language.
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