What is the future of Japan?

[MC anunnaki]

That it continues to be a modern country? I would also wish for less "coca cola cultural influences" from the States, but I think we've already passed the point of no return there...

[marduk1]

The future of Japan?

All things being equal I would say that with the end of our current historical cycle fast approaching, there would stand a good chance for the flag of the rising sun to fly all over East Asia (and points beyond?), once again.

But all things are not equal. And Japan has long since sold its soul to the cult of Mammon. Yukio Mishima had tremendous foresight and was able to see what was happening to his country and where it was heading -- but unfortunately one man can only do so much.

[Matthew]

The Chinese will be a/the dominant power in East Asia. Despite quickly modernizing they have retained their culture, and schools promoting Chinese traditionalism have opened up. Nationalism, Traditionalism, and a revival is taking place in China.

There are voices in Japan that are gathering momentum, these ideas seem to be against greed, and for the re-evaluation of Bushido, and creating a Neo-Traditionalism. Japan's future is a little murky in economics because it is so reliant on trade, and isn't self-sufficient enough if some sort of misfortune were to befall Japan.

I agree with Anunnaki in being for modernizing but not trading culture, and tradition for convenience.

[asdf]

matthios said:

I agree with Anunnaki in being for modernizing but not trading culture, and tradition for convenience.

That was kind of my point with the question about Sweden...

[anodyne]

It’s likely that China will be the dominant economic power in east with its “serf” labor but it’s not a given. Much depends on the elites and at this point they’ve been pushing towards capitalism (well, I should say the road to a mixed economy with a grudging acceptance of capitalism) simply to survive. Even though Hu Jintao is a Marxist he is allowing privatization except with regards to key state enterprises. If this trend continues, I’d say China will eventually be in at the forefront of the world economy with its massive population and cultural traits that have led to Chinese immigrant groups to become highly successful on foreign soil unlike in China where central economic planning by the state limited individual initiative. But then again the road towards capitalism would have to allow for greater freedoms and considering the importance of property rights in association with private enterprises this may be a threat to the ruling party, which likes to think that their “communist” society will be here forever even while moving away from communist principles (schizophrenia, perhaps?)

Mathew: It seems that when you mention people in Japan who are speaking out against “greed” and direct others towards Bushido (which never existed until after Japan’s civil wars ended and these Samurai’s had nothing better to do but to pretend there had once been a code of honor and kill each other) and neo- traditionalism it is simply an attempt by a minority to hide in the irrationality of folk traditions when confronted with a society whose main value is achievement. To achieve you must use your mental faculties. To follow traditions, most of which are pointless, you must shut down your mind and follow blindly.

oh, yeah, and with regards to Japan there is an attempt to limit state power. Both Japanese politicla parties had that as an agenda although it seems the DPJ wished to do more than the LDP. Either way, the LDP won the election so you will see some limits on state meddling so that will help Japan. A dip in the population is a problem but I beleive that will be offset by Korean immigration. Although that issue may cause some friction with the regular Japanese folk. Koreans are not liked at all by the general Japanese person.

[augusto]

Recent Past:

A Period of great isolation, which allowed the cultural identity to be maintained, a sense of self, identity.

Stagnation.

Meiji Restoration, and the opening to the outside world and ideas, mainly for the purpose of not being left behind, basicly to accept some foreign ideas, while retaining their own culture.

Rapid Industralization.


(This Isolation thing, to keep foreign ideas at bay, is an ancient Chinese idea, in effect if one allows foreign ideas to roam freely, there is the risk that at some point the native culture disapears, or mutates into something else, and identity is lost. Multiculturalism.)

War, and economic decline.

Then Rapid economic development, mostly due to existent industrial knowledge (recent high industralization) and good leadership.

Another influx of "western" ideas , due to American presence in Japan for sometime.

Strategic alliance with the US.



Present:

After sometime past the war, and the official story about the war (written by Americans) is no longer satisfactory, some Japanese want to tell their side of it
to tell the story how they see it.

Nationalism on the rise.

Fear of China's growth.



Future:

Japan's technological advantage could be maintained
The absence of a stunning economic growth, the likes of the 1970's and 1980's, does not equal collapse
and even though Japan is no longer nº2 it is a solid economy with still vast reserves of capital and the most sophisticated industry.

Due to low birth rates, much of it motivated by high cost of living (extremely high house prices), Japan's population has decreased a bit, but as a consequence of this , Japanese now are even more wealthy.

China now is the world's biggest market, so Japan has realigned its strategic position, from a solid ally of the US, to a neutral position, coming increasingly closer to China (for safety reasons).

The idea that China can easily take over Japan is a myth
Japan being too advanced, too expensive of a place to conquer, like a hornet's nest.

Rearmament, and conversion of the Self Defense Forces, into Army , Navy, Air Force.

And the entering of Japan into the Armaments Industry, quickly taking its lead in hi-tech and reliable products.
Toyota Tanks, Honda Airplanes, Kawasaki Missiles, Yamaha weaponry, etc.

The large Nuclear civilian industry, together with an advanced Space Program, easily allow for the building of a small defensive globally capable Nuclear Force.

Problems with Russia over land? unknown answer.
(badly needed land in this case)

A monumental deal involving massive investment in Russia in exchange for such land? unknown answer.

Less "Westernization" of Japan, due to the fact that China is now quite wealthy and as such, less reasons to speak english.

More Cultural exchange between China-Japan.

[gelaye]

I am stuck between taking either Japanese or Chinese at university (with geography)

reasons for doing Japanese: I'm passionate about it, would almost certainly walk straight through the course, its something I've always wanted to do since I was young

reasons for Chinese: everyone is saying how great its gonna be and it wil be useful in later life

so......which do I go for? will having knowledge of Japanese still be of use in the 21st century?

HELP please!

[mandate of heaven]

Solution to your problem: learn Korean:)

no but seriously, if you are torn between 2 languages why one learn Chinese first and pick up on Japanese later.(or vice versa) Its best to know both languages and see where the future takes us.

[anodyne]

I suggest learning Esperanto. It's making a come back! ;D

[gelaye]

foreigner said:

matthios said:

The Chinese will be a/the dominant power in East Asia. Despite quickly modernizing they have retained their culture, and schools promoting Chinese traditionalism have opened up. Nationalism, Traditionalism, and a revival is taking place in China.

There are voices in Japan that are gathering momentum, these ideas seem to be against greed, and for the re-evaluation of Bushido, and creating a Neo-Traditionalism. Japan's future is a little murky in economics because it is so reliant on trade, and isn't self-sufficient enough if some sort of misfortune were to befall Japan.

I agree with Anunnaki in being for modernizing but not trading culture, and tradition for convenience.

The key word should be "Yaponesia". The Yamato culture has proven to be no fertile ground for a modern civilisation.

gelaye said:

I am stuck between taking either Japanese or Chinese at university (with geography)

reasons for doing Japanese: I'm passionate about it, would almost certainly walk straight through the course, its something I've always wanted to do since I was young

reasons for Chinese: everyone is saying how great its gonna be and it wil be useful in later life

so......which do I go for? will having knowledge of Japanese still be of use in the 21st century?

HELP please!

Focus on Japanese. Basic knowledge in Chinese will be enough. The Chinese can speak English, too.

thanks - ive already chosen to do Japanese instead of chinese so lets see how it goes next year! ;D

[MC anunnaki]

Chinese sounds cooler than Japanese.

[murphee]

I was recently invited by a Japanese citizen to go to Japan with her (only cost $650 airfare + food), I would stay with her family in Tokyo. I was tempted but I declined because I was tired from just returning from a trip, may go next time. My other friend (Hawaiian with all- Japanese ancestry) went with her. When they returned, my Hawaiian friend told me some interesting observations: Very intense pressure on the young people to succeed, get into schools etc. (You probably all already knew that), but also lots of anorexia among young women--thinness is promoted as the ideal- I didn't know this. She described the city as a super-heated pressure cooker, and was glad to return to our sleepy Oregon town. I may go next time, if I overcome my hatred and avoidance of flying.

[MC anunnaki]

Funny a people who is already very slim compared to Caucasoids and Negroids would want to become even thinner.

[penetratorx]

On my recent trip to Thailand I was struck by how much larger in weight the average female Japanese/Korean/Taiwanese tourist is in comparison to the average Thai female, you could tell them from a great distance just by their waistline and over generous arse size.

[brownoid]

anunnaki said:

Chinese sounds cooler than Japanese.

let's be realistic here, gelaye only wants to study japanese because he looks like one.

future of japan is mass immigration, i hope. japan the racially homogenous nation, is gonna get the big one!!! i can't wait. ;D