China-Japan Economical and Political Perspective

CHINA-JAPAN ECONOMICAL AND POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE

Throughout the years, China is recognized for their huge mainland as opposed to Japan. China has more population than Japan. China has used their lands for agricultural purposes. Both countries were isolated until the 1500s when Europeans arrived. "These two Asian nations--one of the world's most populous country, the other the world's third most powerful economic entity" (Challenge China and Japan p.1). China and Japan are located in the same continent separated by islands both of them produce many export goods. China focuses in exports mainly for their workforce. "Japan was to be China's modernizing (west)" (China eyes Japan p.30). On the other hand, Japan uses their technology to boost their economy after the incident in Hiroshima and Nagasaki by U.S. China and Japan also have different political systems. Their methods of governing is really different from China " grasp these problems as one trend history and Japan is always tackles problems case by case" (China eyes Japan p.185). However, I think China and Japan are really challenging for its economic and political issues. Furthermore, Japan and China are the leaders especially for economic growth among Asian countries. I will compare and contrast the relationship between China and Japan.

These are the overviews of Japan. Is it really true that Japanese as it's called by Taichi Sakaiya as a "The Rich Country That Doesn't Feel Rich?" (What Is Japan p.13). From what I've read the author mentioned that housing in Japan is really cramped because, most of them are built from woods, compared to European or American housing which are built from stones. Based on their GNP per capita Japan has the world's second-largest economy after the U.S. (What Is Japan p.3). Over the last several decades, Japan has emerged from an overwhelmed country to a political democracy, which holds a powerful economic standing in the world.

Many Japanese copied Western fashions and hairstyles as an attempt to modernize Japan. "They could still turn to famous brand names: Louis Vuitton and Hermes handbags" (What Is Japan p.19). Japan adopted the Western calendar and metric system as well. Their education is incorporated with Western teachings in science and mathematics. Several Japanese converted to Christianity. Despite adopting Western trends, the Japanese managed to preserve their traditional values.

The new Meiji government reformed the whole economical and political structure in Japan. Meiji leaders traveled abroad to study economic organization, political institutions, and technological advances. Furthermore, the Meiji emperor was one of the transitions of the new Japan. Based on "Japan: Profile of a Postindustrial Power p.96" Meiji emperor has made its own distinction which are Meiji Restoration (1868-69) and Meiji Renovation (1870-90). They did invent and absorb the technology faster than other countries for those were colonized by the Western countries such as "Turkey, Iran, India and China "(What is Japan p.102-103).

Talking about growth in Japan, one thing maybe Japan will regret is because of the WWII, where they attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941. On August 1945 U.S. attacked Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan surrendered to the U.S. "It is nonetheless true that war was a terrible waste of economic resources" (Japan: Profile of Postindustrial Power p. 156). After WWII, Japan was devastated by the war but U.S. provided aid to Japan in the aftermath. Their economy recovered quickly.

The rise of China presents unique challenges to Japan in domestically (within Asia) and the U.S for international because of its own broad political and economic issues. Although in the 1900s Chinese students went to Japanese school. Japan had tremendous impact upon China's culture. People in China feel that they study Western culture through Japan. "China will also be troubled by the rise of Japanese nationalism" (China And Northeast Asia p.67). I think it's because of the Japanese armed forces compared to Beijing's who still is low for its own military modernization.

"PRC (China) and ROC (Taiwan) agree that they are part of a broader Chinese nation, but accept equal status as separate political entities" (China And Northeast Asia p.64). The very specific issue now in China, is the desire to get Taiwanese regions, which still remains. In a logical sense, Taiwan has a right to be free and get their independence from China. However, this very specific issue is challenging for the U.S. One fact that is believed to be trued U.S. is willing to help Taiwan regardless of how important the U.S. relationship is with China. The Chinese government has been very public about their desire to have control over Taiwan.

"China is a country that is now on the move: after experiencing relative decline from 1870 to 1950, China's per capita income between 1973 and 2000 surged from about 7 percent to 23 percent" (State Power and World Market p. 246). Another important fact is that China has accumulated a large foreign currency reserve over its Yuan and it's second in the world to Japan. China has also taken the advantage of foreign investment "Expanded trade and investment will strengthen the position of China's private sector and civil society, it is believed, thereby providing a counterweight to the Communist Party-controlled state" (State Power and World Markets p.328).

Who's or what's behind the rise of these countries? Their political leader has affected their political and economical systems. Unlike China, "Japan leaders, by and large, tend to be recruited from the bureaucracy, although they are highly-profile professional politicians or businessmen" (The Challenge of China and Japan p.154). Perhaps, the Japanese bureaucracy seems to be working well in achieving and identifying their goals. Japan is ruled and mostly dominated by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). This party has ruled Japan since the 1950s. The LDP is a pro-American and anti-communist party.