Why do Japanese people have the right

Author: Zhou Xingwang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: Why should we regard Japan as an imaginary enemy? The Chinese interest in Japan has lasted for four hundred years, and its current popularity remains undiminished. As Chinese people, shouldn’t we reflect on our own stance? Is it necessary to wait until warships arrive at our doorstep or until the enemy is at our gates before establishing a "true enemy"? The consequences of such inaction are not hard to imagine. Japan is a formidable adversary; anyone who belittles or ignores its existence will pay a bloody price. Much of modern Chinese history is a tale of life-and-death struggles between the Chinese and the people of this island nation. This book is a work of cultural studies examining the national character of the Japanese. The author draws on various perspectives to analyze the reasons behind Japan’s national cohesion, the personality and psychological traits of the Japanese people, the formation and priorities of their Asian policies, Japan’s national strategy and the state of its people, as well as the prospects for Sino-Japanese relations. The author not only harshly criticizes Japan’s aggressive logic and savage nature but also fully acknowledges its spirit of relentless progress and striving. For the Chinese, the greatest value of this assertive neighbor is that it serves as a mirror, reflecting both its successes and failures for the Chinese to learn from. For four hundred years, the Japanese have repeatedly studied and pondered over China as an imaginary enemy. The early thinkers behind Japan’s ideas and strategies of aggression against China were not government officials in power but scholars and cultural figures in the private sector. Why can’t the Chinese study Japan as an imaginary enemy? As early as 1928, Dai Jitao loudly called for the Chinese to strengthen their research on Japan in his book The Japanese. Chinese scholars should approach Japan with an open mind, particularly by delving deep into its national character. The "intellectual isolationism" and the "Boxer mentality in knowledge" have caused China to suffer humiliation and setbacks since modern times, at great cost in blood. This book is a work of cultural studies examining the national character of the Japanese. The author draws on various perspectives to analyze the reasons behind Japan’s national cohesion, the personality and psychological traits of the Japanese people, the formation and priorities of their Asian policies, Japan’s national strategy and the state of its people, as well as the prospects for Sino-Japanese relations. The author not only harshly criticizes Japan’s aggressive logic and savage nature but also fully acknowledges its spirit of relentless progress and striving. For the Chinese, the greatest value of this assertive neighbor is that it serves as a mirror, reflecting both its successes and failures for the Chinese to learn from. For four hundred years, the Japanese have repeatedly studied and pondered over China as an imaginary enemy. The early thinkers behind Japan’s ideas and strategies of aggression against China were not government officials in power but scholars and cultural figures in the private sector. Why can’t the Chinese study Japan as an imaginary enemy? As early as 1928, Dai Jitao loudly called for the Chinese to strengthen their research on Japan in his book The Japanese. Chinese scholars should approach Japan with an open mind, particularly by delving deep into its national character. The "intellectual isolationism" and the "Boxer mentality in knowledge" have caused China to suffer humiliation and setbacks since modern times, at great cost in blood. This book is a work of cultural studies examining the national character of the Japanese. The author draws on various perspectives to analyze the reasons behind Japan’s national cohesion, the personality and psychological traits of the Japanese people, the formation and priorities of their Asian policies, Japan’s national strategy and the state of its people, as well as the prospects for Sino-Japanese relations. The author not only harshly criticizes Japan’s aggressive logic and savage nature but also fully acknowledges its spirit of relentless progress and striving. For the Chinese, the greatest value of this assertive neighbor is that it serves as a mirror, reflecting both its successes and failures for the Chinese to learn from.