Bonus Question: https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/tensions-east-china-sea Here you’ll find a summary of current Sino-Japanese tensions. And here you’ll find a bold threat on the part of China directed towards Japan: https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/china-threatens-japan-with-nuclear-war-over-intervention-in-taiwan-121072300030_1.html
Do you believe China has ambitions to seize Japanese territory or bully Japan to follow its leadership in East Asia? If so, what do you feel is Japan’s most appropriate response? In your answer, bring in the history and cultural elements we’ve covered up to this point.
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How did Japan use the “export” model of growth to become a world economic superpower? What lessons, if any, were learned/adopted by others in Asia to copy Japan’s success? Is it a model that Western economies could copy? Could the US adopt some of the aspects successfully?
You must also reply to 3 students
1. Meghan Collen
Week 5
COLLAPSE
I believe that China can have tendencies to be a bully. China’s neighbors have accused them as such. They have said that their behavior has been aggressive, inappropriate and even oppressive. Australia is only the latest victim of Chinese bullying. Japan was early to taste Chinese economic coercion: when China had a diplomatic row with Japan over the Senkaku Islands, which Beijing claims and calls the Diaoyu, in September 2010, it briefly cut off the export of rare earth minerals to Japan as a punishment.
Japan used the export model of growth to become a world leader by insisting on their own standards, testing and certification procedures, duplicating in many cases those employed in other countries. The Japanese government purchases from domestic producers even though the costs may be higher than those of foreign sources. This makes is so Japan is given preferential and protective treatment.
I think these policies could be adopted to help some countries including the US but why change something that is already working? Also, the distribution system that Japan enforces would make it challenging for other countries. Japans government makes it so complicated to be a distributer. They restrict competition and protect small stores by creating a labyrinth of licenses requirements and pages upon pages of documentation.
2. Natalie Bower
Week 5
COLLAPSE
I do believe that China has ambitions to seize Japan and/or bully them into following its leadership. China has shown, in several ways, that their actions are more selfish in nature as they’re really just trying to benefit their country. China, feeling that they are historically entitled to the Senaku islands, might even be reacting to Japan purchasing these oil rich islands near trade routes and therefore persecuting Japan for it. I feel that Japan’s most appropriate response would be to squash the bullying and the Chinese ambitions to seize their country. While this may be a hard task, overcoming this could result in more money, more goods, and more trades for Japan. I feel like China is very much in control because Japan has let them take over the driver’s seat and it is time for them to take their “vehicle” back. Japan is very much independent culturally and historically, so making sure that China knows they’re not in control could continue Japan on a more successful path.
Japan has used the “export” model of growth to become a world economic superpower in quite a few ways. First, I noted that their financial resources are reinvested and not spent elsewhere. This is huge as money made is then continuing to make more money. Next, they have created their own standards for testing and certification of their goods; in other words they’re using their people and resources rather than outsourcing this work. Lastly, I noted the militarial budget. Yes, they have what they need but they do not overspend as that money would be wasted in most cases.
While I do believe that other countries could adopt this model, I also believe that it does depend on the economic state of the nation(s) in question. Our economic state is good as it is, so while it is possible for us to copy, I don’t think we should. I think adopting this model would hurt our economy more than it would help as the economy is full of different processes and everything would have to change.
3. Erianna Lowery
Week 5 Discussion
COLLAPSE
After reading the provided links and texts I do believe that China at some point did have ambitions to seize Japanese territory or even bully Japan to follow its leadership in East Asia. I believe that Japan’s most appropriate response to this should have been to develop some kind of joint leadership role with China in order to integrate the region as this had been done in Europe and North America.
I feel that the most difficult issues are laid in strategic and political dimensions, Japan and China had continued to be affected by two major factors which were “War memories” and the United States’ role in the region, and this was in regards to the issue of Taiwan.
Japan’s regional role as a source caused concern and uncertainty for its Asian neighbors, leadership in both domestic and international settings requires vision and strategy these forms of leadership vary greatly in terms of their specific characteristics. Domestic leadership is often measured by the skill of individual leaders who are more than capable of transforming domestic politics.
