日中関係

I don't expect Japanese people to think the way I do. Since they are Japanese citizens, it is only natural for them to think in a way most beneficial to them. Since I'm Chinese, I can't but consider everything from a "standard Chinese point ofview."

I think that Japanese people are very proud of themselves. Indeed, they do have many things to be proud of. They are now citizens of the world's 2nd largest economic power; they live in an orderly and largely peaceful (< -- at least that'show I think) society; the society is almost able to offer employment to virtually everyone. These are indeed great achievements of the Japanese. However, let me ask if this is the only right "criterion" Japanese people use to judge whether a countrydeserves their respect?

In other forums, there are Japanese people who indulge the fact that Japan is a developed country. There is nothing wrong with it. However, when it comes to determining whether Korea is a developed country or not, there arethose who put down Korea as if it's not worth existence in this world. True, Korea may still be considered a developing country in some respects, and there are some Japanese who think that Korea has in fact become a developed country, but can't they thinkfrom a Korean point of view? ------ >
Korea suffered greatly during the Japanese colonization period from 1910 (?) to 1945. In fact, Korea had suffered, throughout history, numerous invasions by foreign tribes, like the Chinese, the Mongols, theJapanese, the Russians, and the Americans (?). The fact that a country of such a small size and with such a small population could survive is itself an enormous achievement. I, as a Chinese, have utmost respect for their courage and perseverance. However,Japanese people seem to believe that they are inferior to start with and there is nothing they can do to change it. I heard that about a year ago that there was a group of Korean girls who got attacked because they were wearing Hanbok. I don't know why onearth would one attack someone for wearing his or her traditional costumes.

The Japanese government aspires to be the leader of Asia. The first step to become a leader is to respect and "care for" your "followers." If Japanese people still thinkthat "Koreans are inferior because their DNAs are inferior than those of the Japanese," how can you expect them to respect you in return? By showing their contempt for the Korean people, they won't win the hearts of the Korean people. They won't thinkthat, "oh yes, I'm inferior. Please guide me." They will end up disliking Japanese more.

Having a strong economy will indeed earn you respect in the world. However, "respect" does not necessarily mean "like." You want to get both but it'sdifficult. You get the "like" part by not having absolute contempt but sincere respect for the other party. Also, economic strength is not absolute. Who says that Korea can't unite and surpass Japan in the future?

Akashi_san, I know you love yourcountry and your people a lot. That's very respectable. It's your country's fortune to have you as its citizen. I'm not saying the China is perfect. In fact, it is far from perfect. However, at least I understand what some of the problems area and realizethat racial equality is of paramount importance in China (there are many ethnic groups in China and they only way to make them satisfied is to respect their cultures, languages, and their past achievements.).