4th August 2004, 10:53 PM
DJ, it's simple really. The major factor in why Japan lost is because they provoked us by attacking Pearl Harbor. They totally and utterly underestimated Americans (Japanese 'spiritual power' was so much greater that it alone would win them the war...) and American endurance to war (yes, America was very slow to react to that war and didn't want to get in until attacked. But once they provoked us, nothing could stop us from winning that war...). We won because we had more land, more men, more workers left at home, a better intelligence service (that cracked most of their codes well before the war started), and, yes, a better tactical plan. Honestly, once the war started in earnest they didn't have much of a chance against the US. Their only hope really was somehow forcing a armistice...
As for "Bushido" (as I said it really wasn't), one other aspect that they followed that was idiotic was that "spiritual power" belief. The great spiritual power of Japanese belief would crush all the nations' enemies... and the ardent believers of this became proponents of such fantastically unsuccessful stragetiges as Banzai (the equivilant of "Charge!" or something along those lines) carges.
Kamikaze ('divine wind' -- comes from the hurricanes that sank two Mongol invasion fleets, centuries back...) is an extension of that. And yeah, it was a monumental failure... after the first attacks. At first it was a huge success and they sank several ships. But once the US fleets figured out how to fight them, the problem was greatly reduced... it was really a one-time success weapon, but they kept at it after that because of their increasing desperation and utter fervor and passion to do everything for the Emperor, no matter what they felt inside... sure, a lot of them were scared and might not have wanted to die. But in that society you don't let that show outside of your diary (Japanese military people were also big on diaries...). You just show your devotion to the Emperor and in time some of that must rub off on most anyone.
They are probably most racist against other Asians. I've read articles about how even immigrants who look like the Japanese and have lived there for many years are still considered not Japanese and are treated poorly... there's a reason that Japan has such a low amount of immigration allowed and it isn't because that they would find it impossible to place all of those people. They certainly could use more people, or will soon, given how their population is heading for a steep drop...
They've improved, sure, but it's still a major issue. Along with things like how they really aren't dealing with their war guilt and just try to whitewash the whole era out of the history books...
Just be glad that he's not here. :)
As for "Bushido" (as I said it really wasn't), one other aspect that they followed that was idiotic was that "spiritual power" belief. The great spiritual power of Japanese belief would crush all the nations' enemies... and the ardent believers of this became proponents of such fantastically unsuccessful stragetiges as Banzai (the equivilant of "Charge!" or something along those lines) carges.
Kamikaze ('divine wind' -- comes from the hurricanes that sank two Mongol invasion fleets, centuries back...) is an extension of that. And yeah, it was a monumental failure... after the first attacks. At first it was a huge success and they sank several ships. But once the US fleets figured out how to fight them, the problem was greatly reduced... it was really a one-time success weapon, but they kept at it after that because of their increasing desperation and utter fervor and passion to do everything for the Emperor, no matter what they felt inside... sure, a lot of them were scared and might not have wanted to die. But in that society you don't let that show outside of your diary (Japanese military people were also big on diaries...). You just show your devotion to the Emperor and in time some of that must rub off on most anyone.
Quote:Oh and, current day Japan certainly seems a lot less racist than you make it out to be. That could just be on the surface, but you know, that's just how it seems. They sure have a lot of caucasians in positive roles. I will admit just about every black(african american just doesn't work when referring to japanese characters ) character in Cowboy Bebop was a bad guy (almost, and those 2 or so guys that weren't were enough to make things equal in a sense).
They are probably most racist against other Asians. I've read articles about how even immigrants who look like the Japanese and have lived there for many years are still considered not Japanese and are treated poorly... there's a reason that Japan has such a low amount of immigration allowed and it isn't because that they would find it impossible to place all of those people. They certainly could use more people, or will soon, given how their population is heading for a steep drop...
They've improved, sure, but it's still a major issue. Along with things like how they really aren't dealing with their war guilt and just try to whitewash the whole era out of the history books...
Quote:And GR, I kinda figure N_A would be VERY angry to read that, but ya know, that blind anger would kinda go to show how... *prepairs to state this in a way that would offend N_A the absolute most* PRIMITIVE and ILLOGICAL that OUTDATED "morality" TRULY is.... TECH BUZZ WORDS!
Just be glad that he's not here. :)