Asia Hand

The Demise of Japan as an Economic Power?

Thank you for your insightful article.

Pretty much succinctly sums up the social, cultural, generational and economic factors and challenges.

The one potential counterpoint is that Japan needs to have a population implosion as it was already overpopulated and this is just a phase in a cycle of regrowth.

Anyways, Kudos.

Japan to the U.S.: 'We Don't Want to Exclude You, But...'

Michael Clark.

I also like Lao Tzu's philosophy. That is not correct. You cannot like or dislike the philosophy, it is simply a way towards a better thing.

In any case, I would offer this thinking from my friend here in China in regards to the distinctions between Lao Tzu and Confucius.

Confucius was for those in positions of power. Lao Tzu was a teacher for everyone else.

Be Cautious About Investing in Gold

I concur with Michael Clark.

The louder they pound, the harder they fall.

I believe that is a play on the lyrics from Jimmy Cliff.

Japan to the U.S.: 'We Don't Want to Exclude You, But...'

metaforge,

They are going to get more than they thought they bargained for, that's for sure.

Look at the historical precedent.

Unfortunately, it is the right time to let the situation let loose and let things unfold.

Last time things did not work for them, with big losses for all. Let those schmucks try the same thing again this time.

Japan to the U.S.: 'We Don't Want to Exclude You, But...'

Broxburnboy,

Totally agree with your sentiments.

The U.S. leadership could take a very good lesson from my brilliant friend Mr. Lao Tzu who lived in the 6th century BC,

"Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong."

Japan to the U.S.: 'We Don't Want to Exclude You, But...'

This perhaps may be an article post on SA where the thread and comments are just as interesting as the original article. Despite some spewing of bile and vitriol, the majority of comments were interesting to read.

Thanks to Mr. Goldman for posting an article that has sparked a new round of interest on an incredibly timely topic.

Japan to the U.S.: 'We Don't Want to Exclude You, But...'

Agree with MDS.

In any event, however vigorously people want to pontificate on the matter, it is increasingly out of U.S. hands.

The U.S. would do well by pulling their troops out of North East Asia and instead using those resources to develop a more competitive economy rather than continuing to serve as a focal point for derision by following the same old policies that are representative of a bygone era.

The U.S. can do it. It has paramount capabilities. However, it is mired in the muck. It reminds me of a quote a Korean friend once told me when speaking of the relative power of Korea versus China, "The rabbit can turn quicker than the bear." Can and will this bear turn itself around?

Japan to the U.S.: 'We Don't Want to Exclude You, But...'

I think I taught you all a little something. Zai Jian.

Japan to the U.S.: 'We Don't Want to Exclude You, But...'

It's seems these Republicans are finding their screws are turning loose.

Look, it is simple, you can't hurt the middle class forever.

Why don't you guy's turn over a new leaf?

Japan to the U.S.: 'We Don't Want to Exclude You, But...'

Hey Paul Vard,

I am an American here in China.

It's a better place to bring up kids here in China than in America.

Japan to the U.S.: 'We Don't Want to Exclude You, But...'

I agree and disagree with Mr. Clark's sentiments.

He is one of the only here that I feel has some tanglible factual basis to his opinion on this subject because he lives in Vietnam and, perhaps, has some better understanding of Asia than other Westerners here.

The move to Vietnam by the way I think is a very interesting move.

Japan to the U.S.: 'We Don't Want to Exclude You, But...'

paulvard (sic),

The Chinese don't hate America. Where did you ever get that idea?

To copy things is natural. It is up to nation/states, courts, governments and lawyers to protect copyrights, not the people on the streets.

I don't know, sounds like you want war.

For me, I understand the challenges. I maintain an open mind.

Japan to the U.S.: 'We Don't Want to Exclude You, But...'

Personally, I don't think the Obama administration is responsible for this shift.

I think it is a good idea for the Japanese to further integrate themselves into the North East Asian community.

However, they must realize that there are certain actions that they must now take to give face to their future partners. I am sure they know that.

Said another way, they must apologize for their legacy to those people that they previously disgraced.

Japan to the U.S.: 'We Don't Want to Exclude You, But...'

Sorry, I meant fought.

The longer I live here in Asia, the worse my English becomes.

Japan to the U.S.: 'We Don't Want to Exclude You, But...'

I am an American and I live in China. The hatred of the Japanese here is so strong. I would say 30% of the TV shows are about Red Army soldiers fighting Japanese Imperialists.

On top of that, last weekend, I had supper with three wonderful Chinese female graduate students, one of whom was getting her graduate degree in the Japanese language. Although I explained to them that my Grandfather faught against the Japanese in World War II and had no bad feelings toward them, I could not get one of the ladies to say in Chinese that she could forgive the Japanese. Go figure.

I think the Japanese leadership are being naive about the palpable sentiments here in North East Asia regarding their legacy.