Japan - China : Yoshi's Commentary

In Response to some of the criticism of Japan's role in the recent China-Japan crisis, Yoshi Ishida has addresses a few of these issues:

-Level A War Criminals contaminates the Yasukuni Shrine

The Tokyo Tribunal that criminalized several Japanese leaders in WWII was in its entirety a Kangaroo court, which was, and still is, not legitimate. US dropped two atomic bombs in 1945 and killed many civilians, but US Presidents are still buried at the Arlington cemetery. Like the US president, Japanese PMs must visit to Yasukuni shrine every year to commemorate dead soldiers. If Yasukuni was contaminated, you have to accept that Arlington is contaminated, as well. That this means, is that the Chinese can go to their cemeteries, Americans can use their own cemeteries, and Japanese can utilize the Yasukuni shrine.

- Japan should apologize to China, once more

Japan has already apologized too much-- too many times so far. Japanese media and the government tried to be friendly with China, but China escalated anti-Japan education with its own crazy textbook. China does it because the China gov't feels at ease while people protest at going on against Japan. Chinese people are not allowed to criticise their own gov't no matter how the corrupt it may be. Thus the Chinese gov't needs anti-J sentiment.

- China and Japan are both wrong.

Cookiesap used to suuport China 100% when I met him in the first time. Now he says both are wrong. It is a good progress. Likewise, the international society began to blame China. For example, EU postponed selling weapons to China. Good progress. The world witnessed the injustice within China; a communist country.

I think the anti-Japan terror is not a crisis, but a very good chance to wake up Japanese people and alarm business people all over the world. Anti-Japan terrors will not stop. I know it will happen again. Japan should seek friendship with pro-Japan countries like Taiwan, India, and ASEAN countries.

Do you agree with Yoshi?

China - Japan: BBC Feature

BBC News has launched a very interesting feature on the China-Japan rivalry


Article link

One of the most provoking phrases, is by Wen Jiabao:"Only a country that respects history, takes responsibility for past history and wins over the trust of the people in Asia and the world at large can take greater responsibility in the international community"

How can China claim this in a country where the Tiananmen protesters are seen as "terrorists"?

What do YOU think?

Korea Prepares for New Administrative Capital City

Korean Land Corp (KLC), a state-run enterprise, has commenced on the first phase of constructing a new administrative capital in South Chungcheong Province, 160 Km south of Seoul. The project, which is supposed to relieve Seoul of of its overcrowding problems, has been scheduled over the next 20 years in the new cities of Yeongi and Gongju.

Whether this project will be successful or not-- only time will tell. Korea has, however, had success in the past with planned cities such as Changwon in the province of South Gyungnam. Whether Korea will follow the success of Brazil's capital relocation, is up for discussion: please share your comments and thougths.

Related article in the Korea Herald

Japan and China: A Japanese Commentary

Yoshi Ishida, an MA graduate from the University of Warwick, now residing in Tokyo, has a strong opinion about the recent diplomatic row between China and Japan:

Japan has tried to be ESPECIALLY friendly with China and South Korea, (and North Korea as well until the 1980s) because of what happened in WWII. That is why Japan has spent a lot of money (which comes from Japanese taxpayers) to help SK and China
develop their infrastructure. Japan has also apologised for WWII many times to SK and China.

The anti-Japan rows will happen again tommorrow... and it will never end. Please do not forget China also has problems with Taiwan, Tibet, and the ASEAN countries.

I think Japan also has its own problems. Japan was too apologetic for what it has done in the past and it did not try to explain its own position e.g. why Yasukuni Shrine is important to the Japanese. Now many Westerners believe what China and the protesters says and misunderstand the significance of the Yasukuni shrine. Did you know a group of Taiwanese politicians visited the Yasukuni Shrine last month? Perhaps not....

Your comments are welcome!

Japan and China - Blaim 'em both!!!

Cookiesap Commentary:

The recent row is just another chapter in the mindless diplomatic relationship between two rivaling superpowers that allocate too much political capital and legitimacy in their historic discontent with the other. With the lack of an East Asian regional structure (such as the EU or ASEAN), and much worse, with both countries refusing to accept their own histories exactly as they occurred; the mistrust and apathy will prevail indefinitely. The stubbornness of both countries is to blame.


Please share your thoughts, emotions and opinions

10,000 Anti-Japanese protesters in Beijing

April 10: For two days running, anti-Japanese protests have mustered in the streets of Beijing to perhaps reach as many as 10,000 demonstrators. Flag burning and stone-throwing against the Japanese embassy were but a few of the actions taken by the disgruntled Chinese. But were they "thinking for themselves"?

China has had explosive economic growth, but in the process of keeping the China unified under the CCP, China has felt compelled to remain bent over a few political, and definitely ideological issues. One of them is the Taiwan issue, another is with Tibet, and perhaps the most appropos, is the anti-Japanese sentiment. It is a growing a problem, which could lead to decreasing terms of trade that in turn could undermine the legitimacy of the CCP. The party is largely depending on economic growth for acceptance among not only the Chinese but also other world powers.

Is China slowly painting itself into a corner, by not balancing these issues adequately and keeping them "at check". Although these issues repeat themselves every couple years or so, has china now so many problematic hards on her hand, that the country is stuck in the middle of a dilemma? These protests are definitely not typical!!

China's future depend on your comment .... :)

BBC Article

Chen the Fox or the Bulldog?

Is Chen Shui-Bian a Bully? or a cunning fox?

With his latest ploy to cool the recent "china fever" by investigating unauthorized contact with PR China, and with his wish to attend the Pope's funeral, is Mr. Chen trying to reach new grounds in the PRC - ROC conflict. We have seen Mr. Chen's controversies before - but have they reached new hights? Should we be afraid?

Although many Mainland Chinese despise Mr. Chen, what is your view of this charismatic person?

Where will his vociferous and daring comments lead Taiwan?

With Mr. Chen's provocative nature, you are encouraged to follow suit on your comments. Xie xie.

The Internet and Pop-Ups

Pop-ups are the bane of my "online" existance. For the past three days, it seems that I've been working non-stop on installing blocker software and fidgeting with my internet settings in order for my computer to be even remotely operational. It is very damaging to the efficiency of my internet browsing. Thousands of similar users must feel the same.

Why does the internet community allow for such herassment of people's "surfing"?

To address this question in its proper context, my questions to this blog are:

Is this equally large problem for internet users in East Asia?
Does much of this "spam" come from East Asia?
What are the East Asian governments doing to hem this proliferation of pop-ups?

Thanks for your comments!