Interesting Japanese article, Japanese kissing up to China.... Options

[Mightycandy]

The Wall Street Journal  March  13, 2006, page A18    

Japan Awaits a Democratic China

Contribution by Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso to the Wall Street Journal

I am positive on China. Already the biggest trading partner in our history if combined with Hong Kong, China has powered our recent economic recovery. Going forward, our codependence will only become more pronounced. I welcome China's return to center stage in East Asia -- as long as China evolves into a liberal democracy. And I believe it will.

Democracy in Asia is spreading. Not so long ago, a Japanese prime minister would have to fly south overnight to Canberra to meet our nearest democratic neighbor. Now, he can fly west for only two hours to Seoul, capital of one of the world's most vibrant democracies.

China's turn is imminent, and I am positive on the prospects for this evolution. Citizens of Japan, South Korea and Indonesia can all attest that prolonged economic development creates a stable middle class, which in turn provides a springboard for greater political representation. The question is no longer "whether," but "at what speed" China will metamorphose into a fully democratic nation. I can assure our friends in China that Japan is committed to China's success to that end.

Imagine: In 20 years, China's influence in Japan will be enormous. Chinese holiday makers, from students to the retired, will be the largest consumers of Japanese tourism, filling favorite tourist spots like Kyoto. Tokyo's taxi drivers will speak Chinese, not English. China will be one of the largest investors in Japan's economy. A considerable proportion of the shares traded in Tokyo will rest in Chinese hands. Today, Japanese companies go to New York for investor marketing trips -- soon, they will fly to Shanghai first.

In truth, there is little new or surprising about these scenarios, considering Asia's historical context. China is not emerging afresh as a world power, as many claim; it is, in fact, reclaiming its historical prominence. My hope is that China recognizes that there is no longer a place for an empire. Rather, the guiding principles in today's world are global interdependence and the international harmony that can engender.

China's history is one of extremes. In 1842, the pendulum swung to one extreme when the Qing dynasty was defeated in the Opium War and fell under the coercive power of the West. In 1949, the mainland swung to another extreme, as Mao Zedong ushered in the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution -- both now seen as misguided policies. Until recently, the Chinese did not have the luxury of striking a balance between vision and reality, between who they are and who they wish to be.

Crucially, China can learn from Japan's missteps -- we have "been there, done that." Japan has experienced extreme nationalism twice in the last century. A telling incident occurred in 1964, shortly before the opening of the Tokyo Olympic Games, when a Japanese teenager stabbed Edwin O. Reischauer, then American ambassador to Japan. At the time, Japanese emotions still ran high at the thought of U.S. power and influence. Beijing's leaders can learn from such Japanese experiences to better manage their own rising nationalism. Environmental degradation, which suffocated Japan in the 1960s and 1970s, is another area where China can learn from Japan's mistakes, just as we hope China is also inspired by our successes.

In terms of military presence, Japan is Asia's natural stabilizer. The U.S. and Japan have the world's longest-standing security partnership. It is transparent and a relationship between two democracies. Acting alone, the Japanese or the Americans might raise a few eyebrows; acting together, there is no room for misunderstanding. China and every other Asian nation can continue to count on the built-in stabilizer provided jointly by Japan and America, a common good that is readily available to Beijing. Hence my request that Beijing fully disclose its defense spending, which has remained opaque yet -- as Beijing admits -- has more than trebled over the last 10 years.

A final reflection on Japan's post-war record: I can say with confidence that, with a few exceptions, Japan has conducted itself openly and treated neighboring nations as peers. As a self-proclaimed "techie," I have called the attitude that Japan has shown toward its neighboring nations one of "P2P," or peer-to-peer relations.

I would like these thoughts to resonate widely, especially with the citizens of China. For this reason, I have asked my colleagues at the Japanese Foreign Ministry to create a multi-year student-exchange program that is absolutely positive, like my vision of China's future.

I would very much like Japan's youth to look warmly at China. The growth of China must hinder no one's interests. Our new program will facilitate the exchange of thousands of Japanese and Chinese high school students, enabling these young ambassadors to stay in ordinary homes in each other's nations and planting the seeds of mutual understanding. If our program is successful, in 20 years' time Japanese men and women with first-hand knowledge of China will view the Chinese among their closest friends. And many more Chinese will feel the same about Japan.

Even tho I could easily see this article's motive is simply for economical gain and partnership, its good to see Japanese realizing China's importance.

[Takashi]

lol you have a warped definition of kissing up

[hanzhongrenshi]

Aso is more nationalist-minded than any of counterparts in China.

In terms of military presence, Japan is Asia's natural stabilizer. The U.S. and Japan have the world's longest-standing security partnership. It is transparent and a relationship between two democracies. Acting alone, the Japanese or the Americans might raise a few eyebrows; acting together, there is no room for misunderstanding. China and every other Asian nation can continue to count on the built-in stabilizer provided jointly by Japan and America, a common good that is readily available to Beijing. Hence my request that Beijing fully disclose its defense spending, which has remained opaque yet -- as Beijing admits -- has more than trebled over the last 10 years.

it is self-deceiving,China should just ignore Japanese government who struggle for their presence.

Beijing's leaders can learn from such Japanese experiences to better manage their own rising nationalism. Environmental degradation, which suffocated Japan in the 1960s and 1970s, is another area where China can learn from Japan's mistakes, just as we hope China is also inspired by our successes.

LOL,here is 21th Century,not the age of traditional way of industrializtion. false comparation. I dislike the CCP, but i bet for anything that CCP's nationalism are more mature than what Japan has had.

Again,Aso sucks (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/embarassedlaugh.gif) 2

This post has been edited by hanzhongrenshi: Apr 8 2006, 01:11 AM

[kunomchu]

Japanese leaders need to take some classes in Diplomacy.

[xXChnDreamerxX]

i dont think young japanese feel the same way

[Takashi]

i dont think young japanese feel the same way

young japanese are more open to change than old japanese (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/icon_confused.gif)

[Jaimu-Jaimu]

Japanese leaders need to take some classes in Diplomacy.

If he becomes leader of Japan, can we nuke his house?

[Zezei]

Japanese leaders need to take some classes in Diplomacy.

Chinese leaders need to take many classes in Human Rights

[xXChnDreamerxX]

young japanese are more open to change than old japanese (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/icon_confused.gif)

old japanese also respect more and know more about chinese culture than young japanese.

even during the war, many japanese at the time respected chinese culture.

i heard there are many young japanese who want to abolish kanji but its the older generation japanese who insist on keeping it.

This post has been edited by xXChnDreamerxX: Apr 9 2006, 06:26 PM

[Suijen]

Chinese leaders need to take many classes in Human Rights

You need to take classes on how to be less annoying and superficial.

(IMG:http://www.j-fan.com/jpop/editimages/blue_naked.jpg)

ZING.

[toki]

nvm.

This post has been edited by toki: Apr 9 2006, 07:56 PM

[kunomchu]

Chinese leaders need to take many classes in Human Rights

yeah so do americans and the rest of the world. (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Takashi]

i heard there are many young japanese who want to abolish kanji but its the older generation japanese who insist on keeping it.

lol not really, it'd take too long to write anything

[Jaimu-Jaimu]

Chinese leaders need to take many classes in Human Rights

How very off-topic of you. (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/icon_rolleyes.gif)

[Zezei]

You need to take classes on how to be less annoying and superficial.

(IMG:http://www.j-fan.com/jpop/editimages/blue_naked.jpg)

ZING.

I DO NOT APPRECIATE THOSE GAY-PICTURES

I love the beauty that his concerts and his music offers



====
Sari(gakuhai)写了,
@ 2004-07-21 00:31:00

Not much has been happening lately, which is understandable considering that there's going to be a new single & album & tour, but I thought it was about time I posted something...


Gackt was on the cover of josei jishin a few days ago (the 13th, I think it was), he apparently sent flowers to Leehom at one of his concerts, there have been a few updates at Dears (such as a list of magazines Gackt's going to be in this month), and yesasia's Gackt File is the same as the UV book listed on other sites & it should be released on the 28th/29th (as all other sites apart from yesasia said from the beginning -_-). That's all I can think of now, although it's late & I'm tired, so I'm sure that I'm forgetting things.


Here are some screencaps from the the tour final on WOWOW... I'm sure a lot of people want to see the concert, and lack of bandwidth isn't an issue if you use BT for uploading. There's not much point having something unless you're going to share it, I don't think. And on that note, I'd like to thank a couple of people - they know who they are ^^

This is all out of order, btw >.> This has already taken me hours & I can't be bothered fixing it all up.


I love Oasis as a song, and I don't know how to describe the performance. The costumes seemed really appropriate ^^


(IMG:http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v166/jpopplushies/yume1.png)

(IMG:http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v166/jpopplushies/yume2.png)

(IMG:http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v166/jpopplushies/oasis1.png)

(IMG:http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v166/jpopplushies/oasis2.png)

(IMG:http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v166/jpopplushies/oasis3.png)

(IMG:http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v166/jpopplushies/oasis4.png)

(IMG:http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v166/jpopplushies/acoustic1.png)



(IMG:http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v166/jpopplushies/acoustic2.png)

The interlude video was just strange. You have to see it to believe it.

Hopefully now everyone can stop complaining about Ju-ken! Gackt does it, & You does it... ^^;

I don't think I've ever seen anyone with a prettier smile than You-kun, though ^^




Ryu ^^;
(IMG:http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v166/jpopplushies/ryu1.png)

This is hard to explain...


*disturbed* O__o


It wouldn't be a Gackt concert without cats ^^
(IMG:http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v166/jpopplushies/cat1.png)

It's a really funny video, anyway~

I don't think I need to say more about u+k... We all know what it's like by now!

Some American voice-over person introduces the band members in English here. You-kun & his bald head... A lucky person in the audience got to take that home ^^; (the head, not You-kun!)


The one, the only, Gakuto~!

(IMG:http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v166/jpopplushies/worship.png)

The MC part... Gackt was really happy that so many guys came to his concert ^_~



He wasn't really surprised about the cake this year; happy & maybe a little embarrassed instead...
(IMG:http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v166/jpopplushies/mc2.png)

Introductions: Gackt's brother ^_~




You looked pretty nervous the whole time Gackt was talking, and it was a long time! I'm not too sure what he said...

(IMG:http://img54.photobucket.com/albums/v166/jpopplushies/you6.png)

[Jaimu-Jaimu]

^ Off-topic!

[Zezei]

Then Gackt made about half the audience cry ;__; He just seems so honest & believable when he talks about his love for his fans...

There were a couple of really nice moments in Mirror, but a couple of really heartbreaking ones too ;__;

*hugs* ^^
(IMG:http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v89/gacktjob/hugs1.png)

This is pretty much the only thing in the concert that even remotely resembled fanservice ^^;

(IMG:http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v89/gacktjob/hugs2.png)

In the middle of the song, Gackt just collapsed.


You can see his pained expression, and he was breathing really heavily. It's horrible to listen to >.>


You-kun walked over to him and crouched down beside him. He was being very sweet, talking to Gackt, putting his hand on his shoulder...
(IMG:http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v89/gacktjob/collapse4.png)

And Gackt repaid You's kindness by headbutting him, sending him flying halfway across the stage O__o
(IMG:http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v89/gacktjob/collapse5.png)

Luckily You didn't seem to mind ^^;
(IMG:http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v89/gacktjob/collapse6.png)

He helped Gackt up, although Gackt still didn't look too healthy >.>
(IMG:http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v89/gacktjob/help1.png)



You comforted Gackt a bit more...
(IMG:http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v89/gacktjob/help4.png)

But Gackt didn't want anyone fussing over him ^^;
(IMG:http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v89/gacktjob/help5.png)

He acted like verything was okay, but it wasn't, and a couple of minutes later, it happened all over again. This time he was in the middle of the crowd, with 'G's killer crew' around him.
(IMG:http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v89/gacktjob/again1.png)



They (the killer crew) helped him up, and he continued the performance, putting so much energy into it as usual, even though it didn't look like he had any left ;__;
(IMG:http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v89/gacktjob/again2.png)

The end of the concert was amazing. Gackt was moved to tears at the sight of the lights in the audience, but even with his voice trembling a little & tears running down his cheeks, he did the best performance of Saikai Story that I've heard.
(IMG:http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v89/gacktjob/namida5.png)


And you can see why he felt like that; it really was beautiful.
(IMG:http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v89/gacktjob/story2.png)

(IMG:http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v89/gacktjob/story4.png)

He was crying, but he wasn't sad. You know what he usually says in the middle of saikai story, about his beloved person being gone? This time he said 'I won't forget you all'. It was a nice touch ^^

The ending video... As far as I can tell, it was You's funeral; he was the last one to die. A little boy leaves a photo of You & his friends on the grave, and then Gackt, presumably as a ghost, picks it up. (The part with the photo reminded me a bit of Moon Child...)


You came to stand beside him...



And they turned and left together with the rest of the band.

(IMG:http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v89/gacktjob/ending5.png)

(IMG:http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v89/gacktjob/band.png)


====

[Adee]

^Yes ZZ that has everything to do with this thread. (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/icon_rolleyes.gif)

[Mightycandy]

WTF? you spammed my thread.

[Zezei]

it's Suijen's fault


anyway, your article has little to do with 'kissing up'