Shinzo Abe, Japan’s prime minister, visited the Yasukuni shrine (above) on Boxing Day, where (among many others) 14 class A war criminals are enshrined. Photo: REUTERS
Are China, Japan And South Korea Tanning The Flames Of War? -- John Everard, The Telegraph
There is no political framework to settle the rancorous confrontation in the South China Sea over the sovereignty of disputed islands between Japan, China and South Korea
East Asia is a global economic powerhouse, but its economic progress has not been mirrored by progress in relationships between the countries in the region. These are mired in ancient and modern rivalries that are sometimes made toxic by strident nationalisms.
The parallels with Europe a hundred years ago are uncomfortable. Worse, unlike most parts of the world, there is no adequate regional machinery in East Asia to promote the peaceful resolution of increasingly rancorous disputes between neighbours.
Two recent articles in The Daily Telegraph – one by the Chinese ambassador to the UK, and one by his Japanese colleague – set out opposing views of one of these disputes. Tensions between China and Japan go back a very long time. Present Chinese antipathy to Japan has its roots in the brutal Japanese occupation of much of China in the Second World War – a period that has left deep scars on the Chinese psyche.
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My Comment: It is hard to believe that in this day and age talk of war is being openly discussed as a possibility in North-east Asia .... but it is being discussed. This is one of those situations that you hope that in the end man will listen to his "better angels".
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