Does this show a shift in posture? I know nothing of the evolution of how Japanese administrations have framed the bombings over the last ~80 years.
Anyway,
Japan is still firmly subordinated to the US at the moment, but the fact that they’re making statements like this shows that even US vassals are getting uppity.
Japan defecting from the empire is necessary. It also seems like Japan has been very very cautiously testing the boundaries. It’s incredible that this particular discourse is happening right now.
Although, from what I’ve read politics in Japan tend to be very far right nationalist. So, even if they did gain some form of independence it’s likely they’re going to revert back to a form of fascism.
I think that’s a modern phenomenon. Japanese history is structured along moments of total adoption of the world dominant system as they understand it. Japan adopted much of Chinese culture very long ago and maintained it until the Europeans showed up. Eventually they saw Europe dominate China and they adopted the European system, hence the fascism. My hope is that they see the writing on the wall of China rising and they once again adopt China’s systems and reform their entire society.
My understanding is they do this because they are aware they cannot dominate the world with their limited resources and territory and therefore have adopted a millennia-long strategy of tailing the leader.
We’ll see how things go, they definitely have a lot of problems to work through in the near future. Becoming decolonized is ultimately a prerequisite towards having any sovereignty, so that needs to happen before any positive change can occur.
I don’t think they believe they can decolonize and be independent of a world hegemon. Unlike the liberal world, who can get independent and then try to navigate, I think Japan will not decolonize until they have a path charted to fully participate in the world system they think will win.
I think so as well
They are testing those boundaries at least since 2008 and nothing substantial happened. I would say this here is just the wounded pride of a nationalist.
More like… “Japanese foreign minister blasts back”
