And another racist gaijin puts his foot in his mouth

[cstaylor]

Fans have made me pinch myself

the good that the World Cup is closing the gap in understanding between the inscrutable Oriental and the belligerent Anglo-Saxon. One ancient culture is having a civilising effect on another. Conversely, strict formality is coming to terms with freedom of expression.

The conservative Japanese danced in the streets and even jumped off bridges into rivers to celebrate success. The hitherto malevolent English, far from urinating on their parade, joined in with good spirit

Yeah, like those nutcases in Osaka don't do that whenever Hanshin wins a big match.

[kamome]

"Oriental"?? When was the last time you've heard someone use that term? I thought it had gone the way of the dinosaur. But I guess some people are still in the dark ages. And adding insult to injury is the word, "inscrutable". Of course, "belligerant Caucasian" is no better. CS, I suspect you've already begun writing your letter of protest to ESPN?

[cstaylor]

Nah, all the racism kind of balances out... I mean, we've got Ishihara over here, and they've got n00bs like that writer over there...

I wonder if that moron from Mie prefecture will issue a public apology for his "gaijin rape" comment?

[kamome]

Fat chance. The Japanese hardly ever admit when they've made a mistake.

[cstaylor]

Fat chance. The Japanese hardly ever admit when they've made a mistake.

Especially to non-Japanese. But I love how quickly they want apologies for gaijin accidents like the submarine incident from last year.

[Ketou]

Fat chance. The Japanese hardly ever admit when they've made a mistake.

Not only that but lying is an art-form.
I worked for a large Japanese tour company back home and local staff
who stuffed up would get an absolute anal reaming, while the Japanese
staff would come up with stupid excuses and get off. One Japanese guy
missed his first job (3am in the morning) , came in later that day
and told management he had been abducted by a bunch of locals, driven
up the mountains and dumped!!!!!!!! They believed him!! . Of course
no police report was ever made.
It was so outrageous that it was actually quite funny.

[kamome]

Fat chance. The Japanese hardly ever admit when they've made a mistake.

I just love it when three people in a row quote me like that.

But I love how quickly they want apologies for gaijin accidents like the submarine incident from last year.

Well, CS, in my opinion, that incident DID warrant a sincere apology from the US Navy and US government. They exhibited negligence in the handling of the submarine, not to mention the fact that the US military has a history of abusing Japanese locals in other contexts as well.

But you're right that there's an enormous contradiction in the way the Japanese treat their own and the way they treat gaijin. We've talked about it in the context of the whole "hooligan" craze, where the Japanese prepared for gaijins raping and pillaging all over Japan, when in reality it was the Japanese themselves who exhibited hooliganism.

[cstaylor]

I just love it when three people in a row quote me like that.

It was a good line. Why bust my ass coming up with my own quote?

But I love how quickly they want apologies for gaijin accidents like the submarine incident from last year.

Well, CS, in my opinion, that incident DID warrant a sincere apology from the US Navy and US government. They exhibited negligence in the handling of the submarine, not to mention the fact that the US military has a history of abusing Japanese locals in other contexts as well

Well, they can alway amend the constitution and remove Article 9. That would eliminate the need for most of the U.S. bases here. And while they're at it, why don't they start producing nuclear weapons too?

We've talked about it in the context of the whole "hooligan" craze, where the Japanese prepared for gaijins raping and pillaging all over Japan, when in reality it was the Japanese themselves who exhibited hooliganism.

I'd hardly call what the Japanese did "hooliganism". There were a few fights, but nothing like the way those European countries were sacked during previous cups. My problem with that guy from Mie-ken is that his actions (on the record statements made as a government official) came very close to violating Constitutional article 14:

Article 14 [No Discrimination and Privileges]
(1) All of the people are equal under the law and there shall be no discrimination in political, economic, or social relations because of race, creed, sex, social status, or family origin.

You can read the rest of the Constitution here.

[kamome]

Well, they can alway amend the constitution and remove Article 9. That would eliminate the need for most of the U.S. bases here. And while they're at it, why don't they start producing nuclear weapons too?

Many average Japanese DO seem to want article 9 removed, but the government in Tokyo wants Japan to continue profiting at US taxpayers' expense by letting the American military handle its defense needs. I think it would be a good thing for Japan to have a real military--then it might be able to live up to its expected leadership role in global politics.

after all japanese are only 2% of the globes population.

And 100% self-involved.

[cstaylor]

I think it would be a good thing for Japan to have a real military--then it might be able to live up to its expected leadership role in global politics.

It does have a real military. It just can't project it in an offensive role (and given the history of this country, MacArthur's staff was very smart on including that bit in there).

I wouldn't want to be here if they amend the constitution and remove article 9... do you think China will idly watch their old enemy rearm for offensive combat?

[kamome]

It does have a real military. It just can't project it in an offensive role (and given the history of this country, MacArthur's staff was very smart on including that bit in there).

I wouldn't want to be here if they amend the constitution and remove article 9... do you think China will idly watch their old enemy rearm for offensive combat?

MacArthur was smart at the time, but times they are a-changin'. I think most of the world (outside of China and Korea) would like to see Japan take part in global politics/peacekeeping efforts in a way commensurate with its role as an economic power. What I have in mind is the Persian Gulf War, where most other oil-dependent countries, with the exception of Japan, had put their soldiers' lives on the line to fight for their oil interests. Japan just sat back and reaped the benefits after handing over chunks of cash. In the long run, that just perpetuated Japan's image as selfish and weak. It also hurt Japan's efforts to position itself for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

I also don't think China will start war maneuvers with Japan if Article 9 were removed. But in any case, there could be a revision of Article 9 to stem such fears. A new Article 9 could give Japan limited offensive capabilities by only allowing Japan to participate fully in UN peacekeeping missions, to send troops to UN backed conflicts (like the Gulf War), or to participate in a coalition sanctioned by NATO or some other international body.