Xenophobia alive and well in Japan as racist books fly off the shelves

[tonyget]

When I was young a little boy, I was told that Asia are backward agriculture societies.

I'm sorry to hear that Thai people were also poisoned by western supremacist

 

[Aepsilons]

I'm sorry to hear that Thai people were also poisoned by western supremacist

In those days, the Asians were expected to feel themselves inferior to the White man. Western imperialism and colonization of China, South East Asia, and South Asia was politicized as proof of the innate superiority of the Western powers. It was not until 1904 when the Japanese Empire soundly defeated the Russian Empire -- by annihilating the Russian Baltic Fleet (the Cream of the Imperial Russian Navy) at the Battle of Tsushima Straits -- that an Asian power bested a European power.


Japanese illustration of Imperial Japanese Cavalry running down Russians in the Battle of Port Arthur,

 

[tonyget]

In those days, the Asians were expected to feel themselves inferior to the White man. Western imperialism and colonization of China, South East Asia, and South Asia was politicized as proof of the innate superiority of the Western powers. It was not until 1904 when the Japanese Empire soundly defeated the Russian Empire -- by annihilating the Russian Baltic Fleet (the Cream of the Imperial Russian Navy) at the Battle of Tsushima Straits -- that an Asian power bested a European power.

I wasn't talking about Western colonial era, I'm talking about post WWII, and Thailand has never been occupied by Western power. It is not the West that is brainwashing Asian public, it is the Asian gov and media.

 

[Ragnar]

The culture at that time was one that supported Imperialism, given the atmosphere of Asia in those days. The concept of Empire building was an unfortunate consequence that was brought back to Japan by our students who stayed in Britain, and France.

As a Japanese who is currently based in the United States, I can personally emphasize that there is a dichotomy between the Japanese students who studied abroad a century ago to the ones in this current epoch.

The fact remains that knowledge of the outside world is not a panacea for peace. Who is to say that Japan won't emulate US in bombing Iraq for alleged WMDs, by bombing North Korea? Societies are better off with introspection, rather than blindly copying values.

 

[somsak]

I'm sorry to hear that Thai people were also poisoned by western supremacist

It was really true at that time. How can we say we are equal when the west can produce planes,cars, electric appliances while we cannot.

 

[Aepsilons]

The fact remains that knowledge of the outside world is not a panacea for peace. Who is to say that Japan won't emulate US in bombing Iraq for alleged WMDs, by bombing North Korea? Societies are better off with introspection, rather than blindly copying values.

Sure. Your reminder is a poignant and healthy one. Thank You.

 

[Europa]

wait guys, a recent narcotics related case in an east asian state may become interesting. i somehow, think, the recent kid napping of an east asian country's citizen in some other east asian country and the former country's govt's asking of its citizens not to visit that country have something to do with it. the said east asian country not very long ago gave capital punishment to three poor female citizens for narcotics related crime. i hope what i am guessing is wrong. if any state uses its justice system as an extension of foreign policy and play with human lives turning its judiciary as a kangaroo court, the state is doomed. hope this is not the case. many other countries' citizens also met the same fate. if this indeed is the case, then the relevant east asian country has shot itself in the foot and will pay a price dearly. but i may be wrong here.

 

[somsak]

In those days, the Asians were expected to feel themselves inferior to the White man. Western imperialism and colonization of China, South East Asia, and South Asia was politicized as proof of the innate superiority of the Western powers. It was not until 1904 when the Japanese Empire soundly defeated the Russian Empire -- by annihilating the Russian Baltic Fleet (the Cream of the Imperial Russian Navy) at the Battle of Tsushima Straits -- that an Asian power bested a European power.


Japanese illustration of Imperial Japanese Cavalry running down Russians in the Battle of Port Arthur,

It was the first prove that Asian people can defeat western, indeed.
Thailand was friendly with Russian at that time. Therefore we do not take side. But actually human are human.

 

[Aepsilons]

It was the first prove that Asian people can defeat western, indeed.
Thailand was friendly with Russian at that time. Therefore we do not take side. But actually human are human.

I remember reading a biography of King Chulalongkorn of Thailand several years back. His Majesty King Chulalongkorn was an avid reader and cultural enthusiast, he was a personal friend of the Russian Emperor , Nicholas II. Its interesting that King Chulalongkorn was very much like His Imperial Majesty the Meiji Emperor. Both believed in the need to industrialize, westernize.

This is why I am quite fond of Siam's military history and imperial policy during the late 19th century to early 20th century. Chulalongkorn the Great understood the importance of western education, the removal of sanctimonious court rituals, and the industrialization of Siam. Thus it secured Siam's independence and ability to balance both the competing French and English powers.


Here is a picture of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn and His Imperial Majesty Emperor Nicholas II,

 

[tonyget]

It was the first prove that Asian people can defeat western, indeed.

Not true, Mongols/turks/Huns defeated the west thousands years ago

 

[somsak]

I remember reading a biography of King Chulalongkorn of Thailand several years back. His Majesty King Chulalongkorn was an avid reader and cultural enthusiast, he was a personal friend of the Russian Emperor , Nicholas II. Its interesting that King Chulalongkorn was very much like His Imperial Majesty the Meiji Emperor. Both believed in the need to industrialize, westernize.

This is why I am quite fond of Siam's military history and imperial policy during the late 19th century to early 20th century. Chulalongkorn the Great understood the importance of western education, the removal of sanctimonious court rituals, and the industrialization of Siam. Thus it secured Siam's independence and ability to balance both the competing French and English powers.


Here is a picture of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn and His Imperial Majesty Emperor Nicholas II,

Yes. I actually agree with Japan's idea of East Asia Unite in WW2. I'm sorry that Japan's emperor at that time does not understand simple idea of winning hearts& minds of the local to win a map. The idea was good, but implementation. If only Japan stopped at Majuguo, today Japan will still have those Kuril islands and Manjuguo. What kind of madness mistake invading US.

 

[Aepsilons]

Yes. I actually agree with Japan's idea of East Asia Unite in WW2. I'm sorry that Japan's emperor at that time does not understand simple idea of winning hearts& minds of the local to win a map. The idea was good, but implementation. If only Japan stopped at Majuguo, today Japan will still have those Kuril islands and Manjuguo. What kind of madness mistake invading US.

One must not lament on the mistakes of the past, my friend. What is important is East Asia's development, South East Asia's development and South Asia's development. The Greater East Asian Co Prosperity Sphere was a noble idea, howerver its military style of implementation was destructive. In hindsight, however, we see the success of ASEAN, the voluminous trade between ASEAN, Japan, China.

The future is bright for Asia.

 

[somsak]

Not true, Mongols/turks/Huns defeated the west thousands years ago

Please see the world from Siamese perspective. We were the last man standing until world war relief western pressure from us.
Note that they what Siam actually lost was vassal states, not a true province in the modern term. The lost of vassal states, came at the time we were copying all thing western under the name "modernization". Qing China did the same thing. The only different between Siam and China was that western countries try harder colonizing China.

From this perspective, anyone say we are not inferior to the west is delusional. There are the price to pay for being delusional. Note that Burma was stronger than Siam, Viet was equally strong as Siam at that time.

One must not lament on the mistakes of the past, my friend. What is important is East Asia's development, South East Asia's development and South Asia's development. The Greater East Asian Co Prosperity Sphere was a noble idea, howerver its military style of implementation was destructive. In hindsight, however, we see the success of ASEAN, the voluminous trade between ASEAN, Japan, China.

The future is bright for Asia.

Yes. I'm looking for that word in English. "Greater East Asia Co Prosperity". I hope the idea can be realized using ASEAN centrality.

 

[Aepsilons]

Please see the world from Siamese perspective. We were the last man standing until world war relief western pressure from us.
Note that they what Siam actually lost was vassal states, not a true province in the modern term. The lost of vassal states, came at the time we were copying all thing western under the name "modernization". Qing China did the same thing. The only different between Siam and China was that western countries try harder colonizing China.

From this perspective, anyone say we are not inferior to the west is delusional. There are the price to pay for being delusional.

Yes. I'm looking for that word in English. "Greater East Asia Co Prosperity". I hope the idea can be realized using ASEAN centrality.

The pragmatic policies of the Kings of Thailand allowed the survival of the nation. The Thais also learned from the fate of the Burmese, who warred 3 times with the British and had their Kingdom partitioned and swallowed into the British Raj.

@somsak , what I am impressed with Thailand is their resourcefulness. In 1940, Thailand had defeated the French in the Franco-Siamese War. The Japanese had mediated the peace between the French and Thais. The result was Thailand regaining some territories it had conceded to the French. I should also mention that Japan had supplied and supported the Thai Army with our weapons, provided planes for the Thai Air Force and ships to the Thai Navy. Thailand was another 'Asian Power' that bested a 'White' power.

 

[somsak]

The pragmatic policies of the Kings of Thailand allowed the survival of the nation. The Thais also learned from the fate of the Burmese, who warred 3 times with the British and had their Kingdom partitioned and swallowed into the British Raj.

@somsak , what I am impressed with Thailand is their resourcefulness. In 1940, Thailand had defeated the French in the Franco-Siamese War. The Japanese had mediated the peace between the French and Thais. The result was Thailand regaining some territories it had conceded to the French. I should also mention that Japan had supplied and supported the Thai Army with our weapons, provided planes for the Thai Air Force and ships to the Thai Navy. Thailand was another 'Asian Power' that bested a 'White' power.

It is Vichy France. French colony's force has deteriorate so much that our modernized force was then superior. Plus, it was not France actually because Vichy government is the puppet government controlled by Germany. France was occupied by German force. If Im not wrong, we use Japanese made subs and planes.


For those who don't know.
Siam is another country that defeat western power in warfare.
Franco-Thai War - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The result was decisive that Siam regain Huge land from France Colony Cambodia.

There are more battle that we evade France.
Battle of Ko Chang - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


You can see. We survive b/c Japan was strong. In the future, Asia will not be colonized if some Asian countries are strong. You can see the pattern re-emerge on Vietnam. We are free of US occupation force because VN defeat US.

In short, we will be free and equal to western, only when they cannot defeat us militarily. Today there are not many states that could protect herself from western colonization.

That's why I'm pro Nuclear Japan.