Sino-Japanese relations
Someone in the class mentioned that they'd like to get a better understanding of how the Japanese perceive other groups of people (e.g. their feelings about China). A few months ago in China, there was some controversy (including demonstrations) over Japanese textbooks. Many Chinese felt (at least this is what we're told by the official media) that the Japanese texts didn't appropriately address the actions of Japan in that country during the second world war. Many felt (same caveat) Japan hasn't properly atoned for their sins during that era. Now, a survey has come out showing Japanese don't have a high opinion of the Chinese . The newspaper [ Mainichi Shimbun ] conducted the survey from Sept. 2 to 4, canvassing 4,550 people across Japan about their affinity for the U.S., China and South Korea, and receiving 2,418 valid responses. Those who felt "strong" or "a certain degree" of affinity for the United States numbered 65 percent, while those who said they "don't feel much" or "feel absolutely no" affinity were 33 percent. When it came to China, only 31 percent voiced "strong" or "a certain degree" of affinity for China. Those who felt "absolutely none" or "very little" affinity toward China reached 68 percent of all respondents. In light of world war II, how do you make sense of the fact Japanese have higher opinions of America than China? (Remember: China and America were allies and both defeated Japan in that war. America was the occupying force after the war. Until WWII, Japan had never been occupied/colonized by China or anyone else.) Besides world war II, what do you suppose drives Japanese low opinions of China? Think waaaay back... Is it more 'ok' to dislike another Asian country? What do you suppose are Japanese opinions of Russia (another ally of America in WWII, but never fought against Japan in that conflict [ for the most part ], and loser of the Russo-Japanese War at the turn of the 20th century)? [Hattip Japundit ]