Genesis
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There were many bloody, destructive incidents of conflict between Japan , Korea and China. And yes, pardon me for my weakness in the specifics of the Imjin Wars. To be honest, from my readings in past articles and journals on that 16th century conflict, it was doomed to failure. Tho I agree with many Japanese academics when they say that Hideyoshi was revolutionary because of his unifying power, having taken the necessary action to unify the waring clans of Japan. Before Hideyoshi came about, Japan was wrecked in a blood internal conflict vying for power and this 3 centuries of internal warfare is referred to as the Sengoku Jidai 戦国時代. When Hideyoshi came, he personally subjugated the clans and was then declared Daijo Daijin -- Imperial Chancellor.
The dynamic of Japan's feudal period was similar to the feudal period in Europe. There were too many military forces in Japan who were itching and also vying for power, despite the fact that they were already subjugated by Hideyoshi. So, in a meta-analytic view, Hideyoshi's decision to go into Korea was a necessity for Japan. And I mean this. Whether or not his military campaigns ended in failure or success, he had needed to do it so as to ensure that those Japanese Diamyos and their Samurais were to exert their militant desires somewhere else. Thousands of them died in war with the Imperial Ming Army and the Joseon Army. Those were thousands of men who would not war in Japan. So if i incur the wrath of some Japanese readers, i mean this in the most respectful way, that it was a necessity that the some 100,000+ Japanese warriors had died in that conflict.
After the collapse of Hideyoshi's ambition in Korea, the Japanese military command was so devastated by the conflict that it had compelled the ruling Daimyos to implement a closed door policy. Eventually the Tokugawa Shogunate took power , and ensured this 2 century-long closed door policy, something that the Chinese Ming Dynasty had also implemented. It was during these 200 years post-Hideyoshi Japan that the nation experienced a cultural renaissance, and for a long time the nation was at peace, bereft of internal conflict.
Something very similar to the European Crusades and post-crusader Europe. Well, to an extent.
that's been done many times in China reunifying the land and the Qin emperor did it under worse circumstances as did Song in terms of diversity.
Ming and Josen Korea also had this problem of too many generals and their desire for power. The first emperor and king did the same thing, eliminate them all. They were the communist purges before communism.
If you mean common identity, that still didn't exist, until Meiji.
Since you mentioned Europe, Otto I crushed rebellions, took their power, promoted burocrates and church based on loyalty and more, French king took nobles to Versailles, like the Tokugawa.
It can be done without the war, but at that period, Hideoshi was so arrogant with his power, that he think he can do anything. Much like the Spanish conquistadors in Philippines that thought 1000 men was enough to take China.
Nei hou ma
While the legacy of World War II has caused mistrust between China and Japan, the two countries are making efforts to build mutual trust through bilateral dialogue.
I think that some of the older generation in Japan have a psychological issue with China's Ascendancy, this is because during their life they were used to the idea that it was Japan that was the economic leader , power house of Asia-Pacific. This has changed in 2010 when China had surpassed, eclipsed Japan as the 2nd largest economy in the entire civilized world.
But to us younger generation of Japanese, we realize and accept this. There are segments in Japanese population that sees positives of China, and realize that China is not only the preeminent economic power in Asia, but also one that has formidable military capability.
Many factors favor close relationship between Tokyo and Beijing. China has huge economic and cultural potential, and enjoys broad-based support from the developing world. China's SCO organization is an example of this. Japan is a strong economic and technological power, and plays an important role among the industrialized countries. Therefore, Sino-Japanese bilateral cooperation and interdependence are not only beneficial for the two countries and the Asia-Pacific region, they are also significant for promoting global cooperation and economic development.
Japan , like China, is a changing equation. The older generation that had took part in the Great Pacific War are dying. My grandfather, for example, who was a veteran of the Imperial Navy , is part of the dying generation. The new generation of Japanese who are in their 20-30s age range are taking up roles in business, politics, academia -- and all have a different view of China. The China they know is not a nation that is underdeveloped, plagued with civil war. The China we see and have come to know is a rising Great Power: economic and military.
We Japanese cannot afford to perpetuate the China Threat Theory that was espoused by the post-war Japanese generation, whom are either dead or dying. The China Threat Theory will only foster a culture and sentiment of wariness of China and thus cause political legislature being passed that is anti-thetical to peaceful compromise, peaceful dialogue. Rather, Japanese political leadership must implement a "Comprehensive China Approach Theory", wherein both sides must tone down the rhetoric, must entice a language of inclusivity. It is clear that Abe's recent excessive China Threat speech that this doesn't work. Abe and Leaders who will take on the helm after him should continue a policy for Japan's normalization, increase international cooperation, but should be corrigible to working with China. Japan simply cannot afford to ignore China.
We must find it psychologically possible to accept that China is a Great Power in Asia-Pacific. And mechanisms should be invested to foster greater positive communication with China's people, and most importantly China's Leadership. Japan can no longer afford to implement a policy of black and white. I believe that by doing so, China and Japan can find many ways solve regional and international exigencies in the event it arises.
It will take time, we can wait, we would need to pass America in GDP first anyways before we do anything major. That's also about the time when Eastern China will reach the same living standards as Korea and Japan and the rest becomes developed as well, though on the lower end.
So let's all just calm down, relax and wait. Sometimes time is the best solution.