Sunday, April 10, 2005
Protesting Too Much
I agree with The Times on the transparent nature of the recent anti-Japan protests in China. Japanese evasion of wartime atrocities is old news, though the last decade has seen a growing willingness by Japanese leaders to address what was done and apologize for it. The value of having Japan as an adversary, though, has increased in China. Japan has legitimate cause to worry about China's avowed interest in violently opposing Taiwanese independence.
Moreover, what strikes me is the extent to which Japan, by virtue of past sins, has been elevated into the role of being China's nemesis. Certainly Japan could do more to appease its neighbors on the question of its past guilt - its record of acknowledging its past deeds is still terribly mixed. But one wonders if that is enough at this point. Chinese nationalism is filling the void left by Mao's Communism - it has to in an era where the government is promoting the accumulation of wealth. And nationalism tends to sanctify hatreds - particularly those in recent memory. Tokyo could do more, but the onus for forestalling a future Sino-Japanese War falls heavily on the shoulders of Beijing.
Moreover, what strikes me is the extent to which Japan, by virtue of past sins, has been elevated into the role of being China's nemesis. Certainly Japan could do more to appease its neighbors on the question of its past guilt - its record of acknowledging its past deeds is still terribly mixed. But one wonders if that is enough at this point. Chinese nationalism is filling the void left by Mao's Communism - it has to in an era where the government is promoting the accumulation of wealth. And nationalism tends to sanctify hatreds - particularly those in recent memory. Tokyo could do more, but the onus for forestalling a future Sino-Japanese War falls heavily on the shoulders of Beijing.
