In the world of geopolitics, do you think of Japan as part of the West?

Wednesday 06th August, 06:53 AM JST

Latest 15 of 55 Total Comments Show All

Triumvere at 11:36 AM JST - 7th August

Yes.
roomtemperature at 12:10 PM JST - 7th August

"Japan is developed because it adopted Western know how."

You really know how to twist things the way it suits you best, right?

The West didn't know what to do with their "know how", but Japan did!!
Xentrix at 12:54 PM JST - 7th August

dennis0bauer wrote: (Japan use the geopolitics only for their own gain). I think the West is using geopolitics in every nations in the world but only a few which Japan partakes. Well USA profound reason is the People's freedom and equality which are different way of thinking in Asia. Almost Asian people do have more respect and trust to their superiors because they know much better on how to solve conflicts and safety around the world.
Betting at 04:31 PM JST - 7th August

"Almost Asian people do have more respect and trust to their superiors because they know much better on how to solve conflicts and safety around the world".

Don't you think that remark is quite stereotypical? Nothing could be further from the truth. We only have to look at the Korean War (as well as other conflicts on that peninsula involving Japan), the Vietnam War, and Indo-Pakistan wars, Cambodia and Laos to name a few. We could further look at the nice shoving matchh Korea and Japan have had over some certain islands recently. And we could also look at Chinese history as well. Asia is certainly on equal footing with the West when it comes to conflict and, "... how to solve conflicts and safety", both usually settle things with any means that come to hand, violence included.
theneworder666 at 04:37 PM JST - 7th August

Betting

I don`t think Japan behaves like a western country, but i do not agree about Korea, they behave like a western nation.

Japan lacks human rights and fair trials, this si unwestern. They cannot be considered western.
Betting at 08:05 PM JST - 7th August

I think you might be missing the point theneworder. Xentrix seems to be saying that "most Asian" people know how to solve conflicts better, which is a claim I strongly doubt as by the given examples (just to name a few). All I am saying is that "Asian" countries will use violence just as much as "Western" countries.

How you define "Asian" and "Western" is up to you.
stanoue at 08:38 PM JST - 7th August

Japan is not a part of the West. Not because of some of the stupid reasons written here, but more because of its historical background and how it has developed as a result.
stanoue at 08:42 PM JST - 7th August

And as for theneworder and others reference to 'human rights' and Japan's lack thereof - depends whether you put priority over collective or individual human rights when assessing that. Eastern/Asian countries have typically emphasised collective rights over individual rights - it it one thing that distinguishes them from the West in a way. And I am not saying that one set of rights is more important than the other - for example some of the stupid rights the USA thinks are so important to protect - I could happily do without
greensatindress at 08:45 PM JST - 7th August

No, and why should it be? Why does everything need to be neatly categorized?
yosun at 10:23 PM JST - 7th August

Quite a question! I can’t answer. However, I do know what I hope for Japan: Japan is the only Asia country really get western strength like advanced science, techniques, democratic social system….etc., BUT, for hundreds of years, it’s true the rising of the west together with conquering, colonization, resource robbing, killing of weak… mark the dark side of the west. I hope Japanese to keep his deep inside oriental spirit to voice for weak people of Asia and help the Asian. Japanese is lucky to be so advanced so he got this burden ! I hope Japanese reject to be follower of some greedy western action and stand up to be leader of righteous weak-help oriental spirit. BTW, I don’t have bias against many a good wake up western !
Xentrix at 12:07 AM JST - 8th August

Betting wrote: Xentrix seems to be saying that "most Asian" people know how to solve conflicts better, which is a claim I strongly doubt as by the given examples (just to name a few). my answer: What I mean culture from Asia is much more different from west and What I mean Asians,they believe their superiors can take good care of them and save them from possible dangers for example"Global warming" if the world will end in the means of natural disasters where would their people go? How to solve that problem? what I mean to say they let their superiors handle that big problem. So that is why they have a big trust and respect to their superiors because superiors have a wisdom to know what's the truth, What secrecy the world will become? This superiors, I think mostly members are those politicians in a high rank order throughout the world.
Triple888 at 12:34 AM JST - 8th August

Oh yeah. Since Japan "left Asia" at the beginning of the 20th century it's a pseudo-western country.
Xentrix at 12:53 AM JST - 8th August

Well USA is friend nation and strong bond alliance in Japan. Who knows if they are a joint nation for making the world out of danger and make peace around the world.
DanManjt at 08:40 AM JST - 12th August

In the world of geopolitics, do you think of Japan as part of the West?

In the world of geopolitcs, Japan is part of Japan. And always will be so long as there is a Japan.
Nordon at 01:55 AM JST - 13th August

Geopolitics is certainly not the word you'd use to support a claim that "Japan is Western".

However it is isolated from it's Asian neighbors due to conflicts and relys on outside support to present a stronger face and has adopted many cultural and economic standards from the West. It's it own hybrid of a nation.