Re: [tlug] (OT) The enigma of Japan

[JC Helary <brandelune@example.com>]

On mercredi 10 juin 09, at 17:54, Doug McLean wrote:

> As a first-world, industrialized country, one could definitely argue  
> its unique among first-world, industrialized countries (since the  
> rest are all Western,
> non-Asian/Confucian).

Definitely, but one has to consider the historical conditions that led  
to that "uniqueness" _as a first world indusctialized_ country.

The historical condition being none other that Japan has served  
exclusively as an advanced based for US interests in the area. And  
that since the occupation.

The 60 years long one party rule that Stephen mentions earlier is only  
a proof of that. The violent red purges that took place here in the  
50', the violent reaction against movements that questioned the US-JA  
"security treaty" in the 60'~70' etc, everything shows that what is  
the extend of the US grip on regional politics.

The "Japan is a democracy" discourse pretends all that does not exist.


Jean-Christophe Helary