To Coffee Break
Japan is aiming to get a permanent seat on the UN. Security Council. Under this circumstance, Japan should establish the identity as the wider world.
Since the Meiji restoration, Japan has drastically rushed to accept the Western culture, mainly guided by Fukuzawa Yukichi who was a founder of Keio University. He advocated that Japan should go toward the Europe from the Asia (in Japanese "Datu-A, Nyuu-OH"). It literally means Merging from the Asia, Enter into the Western world, Culturally Modernization, Civilization, Westernization.
After the World War II, Japan politically and economically depends on America and Western Europe. Japanese economy and security have been so dependent on America that consequently Japan seemingly looks like a spokesman of America. Japanese do not stand for the Asia.
Therefore, Japanese Prime Minister J. Koizumi is called a puppet of American President J. Bush.
However, I wonder how long Japan keeps the close friendship with America.
ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) gives Japan an assignment to enter the Asia apart from America (in Japanese "Datsu-Bei, Nyuu-A"). She added that Japan is economically too big and too rich. I do not agree with her idea on this point because Korea has already caught up with Japan regarding the ship building, the steel industry and the textile goods.
China has rushed to catch up with Japan. I realize from my hand on knowledge that Chinese goods in clothing market overflow across the world.
Professor S. Huntington said in his book The Clash of Civilization that Korea would succeed the nuclear technology after the unified nation and China will regain the authority that has lost in 19th century in the Asia and cope with Japan.
As Japan has culturally isolated from the Asia, he predicts Japan will even economically isolate from the world.
It is necessary for Japanese to reconsider Japanese place in the Wider World and make it clear the stance among Packs Americana and the expansion of EU.
Japan should make a good relation with China. I think China would be the counterpart of America soon.
I wish Japan would take an initiative to make Yen block in the Asia to counter Dollar and Euro market. I hope England will join Euro market soon.
One of my classmates of the English class gave me a following comment.
"As to Yen block in Asia, I 'm skeptical if the plan could be achieved ,Japanese government and financial organization seems not so enthusiastic on the scheme and at the same time ,it seems very difficult to persuade other countries in the area."
I agree with his opinion on this point. But as EU is getting bigger, the other area is need to prepare for the block economy in near future.
In addition, Japan should be a mediator between the Asia and America, Europe in near future.
Looking back and reflect what Japan has done at the World War 2, I am afraid China and Korea strongly might be against it.
Recently the Prime Minister J. Koizumi's worship to the Yasukuni shrine has caused a big diplomatic controversy. These countries never forget the cruel behaviors of Japan during the World War 2.
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