Good Old Japan
Interesting article from the NY Times. Thanks to laughing-demon over at the iistix forums for posting it.
All I can say is I guess this is Japan’s way to compromise for its population of small male genital huh? Boost their own egos by trying to be like the western civilization while poking fun at their asian neighbors. I smell a tad bit of jealousy and ignorance here don’t you? Another way to look at it was if the world was like a elementary school playground and various nations represented as kids, Japan would be the dorky one trying his damnest to be part of the “in” crowd. Only instead making a total arse of himself in the process.
Good job Japan. You’ve renewed my faith that world leaders and intellectuals are all just jealous little five years old at heart trying to be the “coolest” one of the group.
Thanks Moyism for highlighting this as I’m quite interested in the subject of Northeast Asian nationalism. Just like to point out that this was reported by Mainichi in August and a blogger has actually read and reviewed Kenkanryu (the manga mentioned in his post) and has come to a rather different conclusion.
I think that’s very true, in a way. The whole Northeastern continent is like this: they all look up to the United States, and yet they desipise the U.S. as well.
“They also point to Japan’s longstanding unease with the rest of Asia and its own sense of identity, which is akin to Britain’s apartness from the Continent.”
Uh… what? Apart from the French there really isn’t much Europe hate here at all. Or even dislike. I doubt that writer’s even been here…
Yes, there is. I’ve lived in China for seven years, Japan for three years, Australia for four years, Greece for one year, and the U.S. for six years. I speak Japanese, Chinese, and English fluently, so I know what each side is saying about the other side. And so far, the Asian countries aren’t too pleased with Bush’s decisions…