We don't need pandas！ 〜Pandas and the Statue of Liberty are different.

  Since 1972, "Panda Diplomacy" has been a symbol of the Chinese Communist government's "good-neighborly and friendly diplomacy."

 However, we Asian people already know what the communist dictatorship means by "good-neighborly and friendly." No explanation is needed.

 The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been distributing a huge number of threatening documents (all in Japanese) on the Internet (I won't reproduce them here because I don't want to be accused of "copyright infringement."). We are once again being reminded that this government is a fanatical, anachronistic cult group.

 On the other hand, the Chinese government is using the "pandas at Ueno Zoo" as a "diplomatic card," demanding, "Give us back the pandas!"

 Not long ago, the French government, taking an anti-Trump stance (based on human rights and democracy issues), demanded that President Trump "return" the Statue of Liberty.

 To Americans, New York's Statue of Liberty is a historical treasure that symbolizes the absolute ideal of "America." There's no way the US government would "return" it.

 (Incidentally, the Statue of Liberty in Odaiba, Tokyo, was also a gift from the French government, but that's a complete black joke.)

 But pandas are not a symbol of Japan. Nor are they a symbol of Tokyo. The symbol of Ueno Park is the dog that Saigō Takamori brought with him.

 Is there really anyone who says, "I saw a panda at the zoo. It was so cute. It made me want to give the Spratly Islands to China," or, "I love pandas. Therefore, I don't mind if many Taiwanese citizen are killed by the Chinese army."？

 Such abnormal person are probably rare.

 There may be a few people who say, "I saw a display of Japanese macaques bathing in a hot spring at a historic zoo in the United States. They were truly amusing animals, with their bright red faces and buttocks. I began to like Japanese people, who look just like Japanese macaques."

 However, I have yet to meet a Japanese person who says, "I saw the pandas. And then, I had a good impression of the Communist dictatorship.

 The issue of Taiwan's defense has nothing to do with the panda exhibit at Ueno Zoo.

 The reality of the Chinese government's "panda diplomacy" is "threatening diplomacy": "If Japan intends to protect the lives of Taiwanese citizen, we will take their pandas away from Japan!"

 By the way, please ask older people around you (those in their 60s, 70s, and 80s), "How many times have you been to the zoo in your life?" Are there any who would say, "I've been about 30 times," or "I've been more than 50 times"?

 Among your friends, family, and coworkers, how many have been to the zoo more than 10 times?

 A few years ago, when I was watching "Uwasa no Tokyo Magazine" (a BS-TBS program that covered the issues surrounding Yokohama City's zoo), the host introduced some research data and said, "The average number of times a Japanese person visits the zoo in their lifetime is two." You might be surprised at how few times that is, but when I think about it, it might be true.

 I also went to the zoo with my family (taken by my parents) when I was a child.

 Furthermore, when I was in my third year of junior high school, I was taken to a "children's zoo" on a school field trip. "What the heck！" I thought.

 However, in Japan, junior high school, high school, and even university are practically the same as kindergarten, so perhaps it was unavoidable.

 A few years ago, deep in the mountains of China, I saw a video of a large, wild panda aggressively attacking the cameraman head-on. The cameraman panicked and fled (while still filming). It's unclear whether the panda saw the man's face as a delicious food or whether he was excited by the suspicious video camera.

 The video was shocking and different from the image of a "gentle and cute panda," but I found it more interesting than watching the pandas sleeping in the panda enclosure at Ueno Zoo.

 In Japan, going to a zoo is difficult unless you happen to live near one. Going to a safari park in the countryside is of course difficult. Urban zoos like Ueno Zoo don't have parking, so we have to take the train. The trains are crowded and we have to stand. The zoo is also crowded, with very little space to rest or relax. Traveling with children is a hassle, so we have to leave home early in the morning. We'll spend the whole day there and return home exhausted. This can be a problem if we have work or school the next day. Going to the zoo with our family is a major family event, so we can't go often.

 Once we reach junior high school, club activities, friendships, and so on mean that a full day of free time is almost nonexistent. Few junior high school students invite their parents or friends to go to the zoo on their rare days off.

 Ueno Zoo is crowded, there aren't many places to sit, and it's impossible to find time to relax and unwind, making it a terrible date spot. High school and college students rarely invite their boyfriends or girlfriends to the zoo.

 Many people take their children to the zoo for the first time in a long time after they reach middle age.

 The statistic that "the average number of times Japanese people visit the zoo in their lifetime is two" can be said to reflect reality.

 Nowadays, famous zoos around the world, including those in Germany, the United States, and Australia, use videos and photos to showcase their exhibits and animal husbandry on their websites and social media accounts. The articles they publish are also well-written.

 The BBC and Discovery Channel frequently broadcast excellent documentaries about animals and nature conservation. Animal Planet (a satellite channel broadcast free of charge in Japan, 24 hours a day, on the first Sunday of each month) airs animal-related programs 24 hours a day, every day, with excellent planning, composition, and video technology.

 These days, there are hardly any Japanese people who are obsessed with the pandas at Ueno Zoo.

 There are some left-wing "Japanese" (such as those associated with the Sōka Gakkai and Kōmeitō Party, who may be connected to Chinese intelligence agents) who are making a fuss, saying, "If we anger the Chinese government, pandas will disappear from Japan！"

 There is also the possibility that this was staged by Chinese government agents. A left-wing newspaper quoted the opinion of a "Japanese" netizen (source unknown), who said, "Takaichi has caused a terrible situation. Takaichi is causing trouble for all Japanese people. Takaichi should resign." Similar comments are also being made in large numbers online (on message boards and social media).

 However, they are in the minority.

Beware of malicious false rumors spread by the Chinese Communist Party dictatorial government！

  According to a female Chinese government spokesperson, we will all become "people (Japanese) who are ignorant of history" (a common phrase used by the Chinese government and some anti-Japanese elements in South Korea). However, the Chinese government is spreading a large amount of "fake news" that even I, a "person ignorant of history," can tell that this is a lie at a moment I read it.

 In particular, when people affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party are in the midst of anti-Japanese mass hysteria, a large number of lies that are so hard to laugh at are spread. This happens all the time. The same thing happened around 20 years ago when the Chinese government instigated anti-Japanese riots (the uproar over the nationalization of the Senkaku Islands).

 Recently, China's state-run news agency, Xinhua News Agency (新華社), and state-run television station, China Central Television (CCTV or 中国中央电视台 (Zhōngguó zhōngyāng diànshìtái)), have "reported" that "Japan has long recognized that 'Taiwan belongs to China.'"

 We are once again being reminded of just how fanatical and hysterical the people in this rogue state's dictatorial government are.

 I don't think that Chinese people living in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Europe, the United States, etc. (such as international students, businessmen, full-time medical and nursing professionals, and long-term residents (overseas Chinese or 華僑)) will blindly believe the "fake news" being spread by the Chinese government, but ordinary Chinese people living in China (mainland) may.

 The Chinese communist dictatorial government will likely cause trouble with neighboring countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan next year and the year after (the term of the current Chinese president, who is determined to invade Taiwan, runs until 2027), and each time this happens, I think that rogue diplomats in the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs will spread a large amount of fake news on social media platforms run by their personal accounts.

 The Chinese government's thinking seems to be that because these are private comments made by individuals outside of work hours, they are guaranteed as 'freedom of speech' and 'freedom of expression,' and that state power cannot intervene, interfere, censor, delete, or retract them. They only bring up 'freedom of speech' when it suits them (though the Chinese Constitution does, in fact, include a clause guaranteeing freedom of expression).

 A diplomat (the Osaka Consul General) with a crazy social media addiction continues to frequently post incomprehensible, abusive comments on "X" (he has posted a huge number of posts over the past 4 years, sometimes over 100 per day, and although they are all in Japanese, they are absurdly abusive), but he cannot be arrested because of his 'diplomatic immunity.' The process of forcibly 'deporting' foreign diplomats from other countries is also cumbersome in democratic countries.

 Below are some examples of 'fake' posts being spread by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, 中華人民共和國外交部, Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Wàijiāobù) on social media and elsewhere to warn neighboring Asian countries. 

 The comments I wrote after the '⇒' are the truth.

 For example, the following "news" and "comments" are being circulated:

　① The international community, including Japan, the United States, and Europe, recognizes "One China."

　　⇒ Western countries do not. If there are any documents or statements that can be said to indicate recognition, we would like the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide specific examples. We only say that we "respect" China's self-assertion. We have never "recognized" it.

　② "One China" means "China" that includes Taiwan, and Taiwan is an integral part of China's territory, and the Taiwan issue is China's internal affair. The international community also recognizes this.

　　⇒ This is a big lie. No country in the world has officially recognized that "Taiwan is an integral part of China's territory." Neither Russia, Iran, nor Belarus recognize it.

　③ Japan accepted the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Declaration, and therefore, as a defeated nation, is obligated to abide by international law.

　　⇒ This is completely pointless. A female spokesperson for the Chinese government called us "ignorant," but what's going on in this woman's head? Has she ever studied international law?

　　Unlike the UN's "Declaration of Human Rights," the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Declaration are not documents or practices with international legal effect. There is no "obligation" under "international law" that a defeated nation must abide by.

　　In the San Francisco Peace Treaty (which falls under "international law"), Japan "renounced" its sovereignty over Taiwan and effectively accepted Taiwan's independence. While the horrific atrocities committed by Chiang Kai-shek's forces after they entered Taiwan are unforgivable, Japan recognized Taiwan as the "Republic of China" and built friendly relations with the country.

　　In the first place, the People's Republic of China (mainland) did not sign the San Francisco Peace Treaty.

　　Therefore, the Communist dictatorship lacks the qualifications to discuss the Taiwan issue.

　④ In the 1972 Japan-China Joint Communiqué, Japan recognized "one China," including Taiwan.

　　⇒ This is also a fabrication. At this time, Chiang Kai-shek still advocated "counterattacking the mainland" as his national policy. Therefore, the Chinese Communist government needed to prevent a counter-invasion by Chiang Kai-shek and force Japan and the United States to deny the legitimacy of the Kuomintang's power on the Chinese mainland. The Communist government wanted Japan and the United States to recognize it as "the only legitimate government on the Chinese mainland." Both Japan and the United States merely recognized the Chinese Communist government as "one legitimate government" within mainland China.

　　Neither Zhou Enlai nor Mao Zedong reached an agreement with Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka regarding the "attribution of Taiwan to China." If there are any documents (diplomatic documents, letters, diaries, books, etc.) that show such an agreement, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs should make them available.

　　Taiwan has been an independent sovereign nation for over 20 years. Why can Japan and China decide the "belonging" of Taiwan, a sovereign nation, with just a "Joint Communiqué"?

　⑤ "There have been many crimes targeting Chinese people in Japan" (by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson).

　　⇒ There is no truth to this. There are only a few violent crimes per year in which Chinese people are the "victims," ​​but the "perpetrators" (suspects) in those cases are also Chinese, and the disputes are between Chinese people. The "Chinese" in question are Chinese people living in Japan (long-term residents), not tourists or international students. 

　　Overseas Chinese in Japan and Chinese people running travel-related businesses (companies) in Japan also deny the claim that there have been many crimes targeting Chinese people in Japan. Spreading such lies harms ordinary Chinese people living in Japan.

　⑥ In Japan, Chinese people are treated like slaves, livestock, and pests, and are subjected to humiliating treatment.

　　⇒ This is nothing more than demagoguery. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is targeting ordinary Chinese citizens by posting fabricated posts online and spreading malicious rumors.

　⑦ People from all walks of life in the "Province of Taiwan" are calling for an "apology" from Prime Minister Takaichi (by a recent post on the Chinese ambassador to Japan's personal social media account (X)).

　　⇒ It is the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs that appoints such a shameless, lying diplomat as "ambassador." There is no such thing as a "Province of Taiwan." It is a "province (省)" arbitrarily created by the Communist dictatorship. The people of Taiwan support Prime Minister Takaichi. If Japan says it will take resolute action to protect the lives and property of the Taiwanese citizen from Chinese aggression, why would the people of Taiwan demand an apology from Japan?

　　The Communist dictatorship is allowing diplomats stationed in countries around the world to spread large numbers of lies that suit its own country through personal social media posts. This is a deliberate propaganda campaign by the Communist government, and it is further undermining trust in the Chinese government. No one trusts what Chinese diplomats say anymore.

　(8) The "One China" principle is an unshakable common understanding among the international community.

　　⇒ "One China" is a self-assertion by the Communist dictatorship, and is merely asserted arbitrarily. The "One China" assertion has become the legitimacy principle supporting the dictatorial power of the Chinese Communist Party (Chiang Kai-shek's complete rejection of the Kuomintang regime), so Western countries are simply saying they "respect" and "understand" its assertion in order to prevent it from undermining the Communist Party's power base and running wild.

　　Furthermore, there is not a single politician in the liberal world who has said that Taiwan is included in that "one." Not a single one in Russia or Eastern Europe. Not a single one in India, Africa, or Latin America.

　　Even the current South Korean president, who kowtows to the Chinese Communist government, has not made such a statement. South Korea has stated that "a 'Taiwan emergency' is a matter of Japan's national defense and has no bearing on South Korea."

　　If any politician has said that "Taiwan is part of China," the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs should make his name public.

　⑨ Japanese seafood is contaminated and dangerous due to treated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant (the basis for a complete embargo on Japanese seafood).

　　⇒Where in Japan was this fish caught? The Chinese government should provide concrete data on the "contamination" (data that can be replicated).

　⑩ Japan invaded Taiwan and "stole" it from the People's Republic of China. Japan promised to "return" Taiwan to China (by Foreign Minister Wang Yi's (王毅) comments recently published in People's Daily (「人民網 日本語版」)).

　　⇒All of these are lies. It's so ridiculous I don't feel like saying anything.

　　 If there is even one diplomatic or government document from the past 80 years (excluding documents produced by the Chinese Communist Party) that contains the words "return" of Taiwan, the Chinese government should make it public. 

　　 Despite the vast amount of propaganda it has been disseminated around the world through its state-run media, the Chinese government has been unable to provide a single concrete document to support its claims.

　⑪ Chinese tourists are being beaten to a pulp in Nara (Japan's ancient capital of the Nara period, and the birthplace of Prime Minister Takaichi).

　　⇒ A complete lie. Many of the Chinese tourists and students coming to Japan are wealthy Chinese. What kind of fool would attack someone who is about to spend money?

　　Prime Minister Takaichi simply said that we would fight alongside the United States and the people of Taiwan to protect the lives and property of the Taiwanese citizen. In response, the Consul General of Japan in Osaka issued a death threat against the Japan's Prime Minister, and the Communist dictatorship has restricted travel to Japan and banned the import of Japanese seafood, so we are angry at the Chinese Communist government and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Chinese tourists are not involved.

　⑫ Japan is suffering and damaged by travel restrictions to Japan.(「人民網 日本語版」2025.11.26, 10:26。http://j.people.com.cn/n3/2025/1126/c94476-20395167.html)

　　⇒ Restaurants, hotels, and private lodgings frequented by Chinese tourists are often run by overseas Chinese (Chinese nationals) in Japan. Many of the companies that plan and run tours aimed at Chinese tourists are Chinese-owned (Chinese-funded) companies. 

　　It is obviously better for local travel guides to be conducted by Chinese people speaking in Chinese. Advice about illness, injury, trouble, lost items, cancellations, etc. will also be of higher quality if conducted by Chinese people in Chinese.

　　The Chinese government's measures are damaging Chinese people, not Japanese people. Where Chinese tourists have canceled their reservations (they have not paid any of the cancellation charges, totaling several hundred million yen, because "the Chinese government said they didn't have to pay them." People from neighboring countries should remember this), Japanese, Taiwanese, and Koreans have infiltrated the country, so there is almost no damage.

　　The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is causing harm to ordinary Chinese people who are working hard in Japan.

Which country is yours? "Thank you, Mrs. Takaichi!" or "Don't come to my country; it's a nuisance!"

  As expected, the Communist dictatorship has effectively imposed travel restrictions on ordinary Chinese citizens and is using tourism revenue from Chinese people in Japan as a diplomatic card.

 The more this rogue state struggles, the more it cements its image as a villain around the world.

 Taiwan has been an independent nation for 76 years, and there's no way the West would tolerate an infringement of Taiwan's sovereignty. Every time we say something, some in the Chinese government get enraged and start a fuss, so we merely say "China is one" as diplomatic etiquette.

 However, and we don't want them to misunderstand this, no one has ever said that "Taiwan's sovereignty belongs to China (mainland)." Even during negotiations to normalize diplomatic relations between Japan and China, Japan made no such statement or promise. There is no such wording in the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People's Republic of China.

 We merely acknowledge China's claim that "China is one."

 Neither Japan, the United States, nor Western countries have ever said that "Taiwan is a part of China."

 From a geopolitical strategic perspective, Japan cannot allow Chinese forces to invade eastward through the Taiwan Strait. This has remained unchanged since the Meiji Restoration. It is natural that a "Taiwan emergency" is also a "Japanese emergency." It is Japan's natural mission and obligation to protect the inviolable sovereignty of the Taiwanese citizen from the clutches of a dictatorial state.

 In reality, there are very few people in Western countries who seriously believe that Taiwan is not an independent sovereign nation. No politician has ever said that "Taiwan is a part of China (mainland)." Not even left-wing political parties such as the Communist Party or the Social Democratic Party, or their associates, have made such a statement.

 It would be troublesome if the Chinese government made a fuss, so as a Japanese-style "pretense (Tatemae or 建前)" (although I personally hate this "Japanese-style Tatemae"...), they are simply acknowledging that "China is 'one'." The Chinese government should not be mistaken.

 Regardless, when some kind of dispute arises in relations between China and Japan, has there ever been a single incident in the past 80 years in which unrelated ordinary Chinese visitors (tourists, businessmen, international students) or Chinese residents in Japan (overseas Chinese (華僑), entertainers, athletes (Sadaharu Oh (王貞治) was actually originally a mainland Chinese citizen, not a Taiwanese citizen)) have suddenly been attacked, been verbally abused, beaten, murdered, or raped by Japanese people on the street, in a public facility, on a train, in a restaurant, etc?. 

 On the other hand, it is China that has repeatedly committed despicable crimes targeting women and children at every opportunity. Just recently, a Chinese man murdered an elementary school student attending a Japanese school in China to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance against Japan.

 But that dictatorial country has issued an order to "not go to Japan." As a result, it is predicted that Chinese tourists will flock to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea.

 According to some data, China is by far the country in the world with the highest travel expenditures (money spent on travel, including accommodation, transportation, tickets, food and drink, souvenirs, etc.) .

 Japan, by the way, is in 25th place, the sad reality for an island nation.

 One theory is that Japan's losses will be several trillion yen. It is thought that this enormous amount of money (spent by Chinese tourists) will flow to neighboring Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea.

 Normally, one would think, "Hong Kongers, Taiwanese people, and South Koreans would all be happy to have reap the benefits. They may be grateful to Prime Minister Takaichi."

 However, it seems that, on the contrary, they are disliked. Chinese tourists are described as "bombs." They are told, "Don't come to our country. No thanks. Please don't cause us any more trouble."

 I don't know the behavior of Chinese tourists who visit Korea, Hong Kong, or Taiwan, so I can't comment.

 As far as I can see, Chinese tourists are no problem at all in Japan.

 In the town where I live, there are many Koreans, Taiwanese, Chinese (I'm really bad at listening to Chinese, so I can't tell the difference between Taiwanese, Hong Kongers, and Chinese), South Asians, Iranians, and so on, and without exception, they are all polite. Only a very small number of white people (nationality unknown) give us challenging, contemptuous looks.

 Without exception, it is Japanese macaques who are behaving rudely or doing strange things.

 Have you ever seen a "polite penguin-like Japanese Monkey"?

 The Chinese habit of "pooping anywhere" has long been well known. During the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), when Japanese imperial army also conquered and occupied urban areas in China, this was the problem.

 To begin with, Chinese homes didn't have toilets. So Japanese soldiers had no choice but to "Poop in the open field". Even Japanese military commanders did so.

 However, in Japan, we don't often see Chinese people who "Poop everywhere", although there are stories of Chinese sex workers pooping in the common hallways of their apartment buildings.

 The only person who post crazy things and behave like gangsters are a few high-ranking officials in the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 We welcome ordinary Chinese tourists and international students, as well as other visitors. I would like more Chinese people to come to Japan for travel, training, study, business, sports, and more.

 And I hope Chinese visitors will teach Japanese Monkeys, like penguins, human "etiquette."

【China】 Tensions in Japan-China relations are changing travel destinations for Chinese people. Korean media articles are flooded with comments like, "Don't come!"

1 ★: 2025/11/21 (Fri) 07:14:43.98 ID:RG0QeM9I.net

 China's backlash against Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Diet response regarding a Taiwan emergency is escalating day by day. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly urged Chinese citizens to "refrain from traveling to Japan in the near future." Since November 15, more than 491,000 airline tickets from China to Japan have been canceled.

 Meanwhile, South Korea and Hong Kong are gaining attention as alternative travel destinations for Chinese people. However, both countries appear to be confused.

 The Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo recently ran an article headlined, "Going to South Korea instead of Japan... The choice of Chinese who canceled their trips to Japan."

 According to the Chosun Ilbo, following Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks in the National Assembly, a wave of travel reservations to Japan were canceled in China, with South Korea emerging as an alternative destination.

 In fact, according to a recent release by the Chinese travel platform "Quiri (去日)," South Korea became China's most popular overseas travel destination over the weekend of the 15th and 16th. South Korea overtook Japan, which had previously held the top spot.

 However, the comments section of the newspaper article has been flooded with posts from Korean netizens. Comments include, "No! Don't come!" "Only travelers with dignity are welcome. Those who can't even respect the rules should not come," "In South Korea, Chinese people spit, poop, and cause trouble," "Don't come to South Korea. Go to another country," "Go to Japan," and "Takaichi has dropped a bomb on South Korea."

 Additionally, Taiwanese media outlet Sanlih News Network (三立新聞網) recently ran an article with the headline, "Hong Kong People Are Crying! 'Hong Kong May Be in a Serious Situation.'"

 Sanlih News quoted an article from Hong Kong media, which said that in recent years, mainland Chinese tourists' affection for Japanese food culture has far surpassed that of local Hong Kong residents. As restrictions on travel to Japan have created a "Japan loss" for Chinese people, there is a risk that the number of Chinese tourists heading to Hong Kong to try ingredients air-shipped from Japan will increase sharply.

 China's suspension of imports of Japanese seafood may accelerate the increase in Chinese tourists to Hong Kong.

https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/367477

Egging in Korea …Ⅱ 〜〜 Political protest in Asian direct democracy

 R. Dahl included postwar Japan in the category of "polyarchy" countries, but from the perspective of a Japanese person who has lived in Japan for a long time, appearances aside, the reality is a world that differs from a "polyarchy."

 Dahl views the concept of "polyarchy" not as "democracy" itself, but as a tool for analyzing the process of approaching a real democratic system. Dahl argues that the establishment and maintenance of a "polyarchy" is influenced by many factors, including historical conditions, socioeconomic order, cultural factors, and the "convictions" of political activists. "Polyarchy" is a unique analytical concept and is distinct from the functional concept of "democracy." However, it is now also used as a measure of the stage of development of political democracy.

 From the perspective of "democracy," Japan has fundamentally changed little since Karel van Wolferen published "Japan: The Enigma of Power Structures" (a time when revisionism was popular). 

 When Prime Minister Suga resigned (and handed over power) a few years ago, and the recent process leading to the birth of the Takaichi administration after "removing Ishiba" completely differed from Western-style "democracy."  The same could be said of "the Nakasone Saitei (or adjudication, judgement, arbitration, ruling, decision...etc. It is a political phenomenon unique to LDP politics and cannot be translated into Western languages. According to Shintaro Ishihara's writings (comments published in a magazine about former Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita) written after Takeshita's death, it was discovered much later that money had been donated from Takeshita Noboru's side (successor Prime Minister) to Prime Minister Nakasone's side.) and the Shiina Saitei (Shiina Etsusaburo was the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the time of the conclusion of the Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea (the autobiography of the South Korean foreign minister, who was the South Korean counterpart, details the negotiation process for the treaty).). The same was true of Kanemaru Shin's sudden dismissal of Kaifu Toshiki (The then Prime Minister). The formation of the coalition government between the LDP, the Japan Socialist Party, and Sakigake Party (Murayama Administration) was a political collusion (Dangō) between the LDP and the left wing of the Socialist Party (The worst case of collusive politics leading to the worst prime minister).

 In Japanese politics, such cases have been repeated endlessly to this day (I will not go into detail about these events here.).

 Japan's ruling parties are still dominated by hereditary politicians based on individual constituency-based businesses (Kōenkai, or support groups), and are far from what Maurice Duverger and others would call "modern political parties." 

 The only parties in Japan that could be called "modern political party" are the Japan Communist Party and the Komeito Party, but both are unique ideological parties (or religious parties) that are incompatible with democracy and are constantly plagued by internal conflict.

 Today, Japan's political party system has become what Giovanni Sartori calls a "polarized multi-party system," and is becoming increasingly unsound.

 Post-independence India was considered a "polyarchy," but under the current Modi administration it has become something akin to an authoritarian regime. While economic development has been remarkable, political freedom for non-Hindus, freedom of the press and freedom of expression and others appears to be declining.

 The Arab countries of the Middle East remain a mixture of medieval political life and a pseudo-advanced welfare state.

 Central Asian countries remain in chaos.

 Israel is difficult to assess.

 The situation in Southeast Asian countries is also well known.

 China and Russia are out of the question.

 Of the vast Asian nations, only two states—Taiwan and South Korea—have developed "democracy," though this is still qualified as "Asian."

 When Dahl published "Polyarchy," these two countries were not included in the list of "polyarchy" nations. South Korea had an authoritarian regime close to a military dictatorship, and its government changed following the assassination of its president. Taiwan continued to be under the dictatorial regime of Chiang Kai-shek and his son, Chiang Ching-kuo.

 However, these two countries have now become a beacon of hope for democracy in Asia, setting an example of democracy for other Asian countries.

 What does this mean? How should we understand this situation?

 It seems pathetic to me, but at present, compared to Japan, South Korea is more advanced in developing practical democracy at the citizen level. I am not a supporter of either of South Korea's two major political parties, and have no vested interest in them, but it is certain that South Korea's active direct democratic citizen-level activities are generating political dynamism at the national level.

 Like candlelight vigils, political egging is conducted as a form of political protest, not as a form of public participation in the public policy decision-making process, and therefore differs in character from Western-style participative democracy.

 On the other hand, the protests are well-controlled. Participants throw nothing but eggs. They do not use Molotov cocktails or smoke bombs, nor do they pick up stones from their feet and throw them. They do not throw objects at people; rather, they throw raw eggs (purchased and prepared) all at once, toward the banner.

 Although this method is a bit crude, participants influence the course of real national politics by sharing an opportunity for citizens to unite and express their opposition to the political situation, separate from the opportunity to vote in elections. 

 In this way, participants self-generate, enhance, and share political empowerment, a sense of political accomplishment, and political self-affirmation. This creates political dynamism.

 Like the recent student demonstrations in Hong Kong, this direct action, in which active citizens express their solidarity and opposition to political injustice in public spaces, could be seen as similar to the Occupy movement in Europe and the United States.

 Such direct action can be a driving force for the development of democracy.

 It can currently be said that Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea are playing leading roles in democracy in Asia.

【South Korea】 Candlelight rallies have spread to the ruling Saenuri Party. Demonstrators are throwing eggs en masse. [12/05]

1: ★＠＼(^o^)／: 2016/12/05 (Mon) 20:16:00. ID:CAP_USER.net

http://www.chosunonline.com/site/data/img_dir/2016/12/05/2016120500635_0.jpg

http://www.chosunonline.com/site/data/img_dir/2016/12/05/2016120500635_1.jpg

 On the afternoon of the 3rd, during the sixth candlelight rally calling for President Park Geun-hye's resignation, a banner hanging at the ruling Saenuri Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, reading, "Dear citizens, we are deeply sorry. We will resolve the national affairs as soon as possible," was hit with eggs thrown by demonstrators.

 At a rally held in front of the Saenuri Party headquarters prior to the evening candlelight vigil, the moderator called out, "We cannot forgive the Saenuri Party for trying to vote against the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye," and demonstrators hurled eggs at them en masse.

 Some of the demonstrators also performed a spectacle by ripping down an 8m x 15m banner that read, "Saenuri Party: Accomplice in Park Geun-hye's interference in state affairs." The candlelight vigils, which had previously been held around Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, have now turned their attention to the Saenuri Party as well, and have expanded to Yeouido.

Excerpt

http://www.chosunonline.com/site/data/html_dir/2016/12/05/2016120500677.html

http://www.chosunonline.com/site/data/html_dir/2016/12/05/2016120500677_2.html

Egging in Korea …Ⅰ 〜〜 protest against the unreasonable behavior of politicians. exercise of political freedom of expression.

 [South Korea] Eggs thrown at Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn...Police launch investigation [7/18]

1: ★＠＼(^o^)／: 2016/07/18(Mon) 03:34:29.44 ID:CAP_USER.net

 Police have launched an investigation into an incident in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, in which eggs and plastic bottles were thrown at Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn as he explained the reasons for the selection of candidate sites for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system.

 On July 15, 2016, Prime Minister Hwang visited Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, to persuade residents opposed to the THAAD deployment. However, residents attending the briefing violently hurled eggs and plastic bottles at Hwang.

 After being hit with a raw egg, Prime Minister Hwang fled to his car. However, residents surrounded his car, preventing him from moving for six hours.

 On July 16, police announced that they would form a dedicated investigation team at the North Gyeongsang Provincial Police Agency to track down those involved in the violent acts.

 A police official said, "We will investigate based on the collected evidence to determine whether the eggs and plastic bottles were dangerous and who the perpetrators were. We won't know which legal provisions apply until we continue our investigation."

 Even if the residents' actions were intended to criticize the government, they constitute "violence using a tool," and punishment is expected to be inevitable.

 There have been numerous cases in the past of prime ministers, former presidents, and presidential candidates being pelted with eggs.

 In 1991, during the Kim Young-sam administration, students pelted Jeong Won-sik with flour and eggs during his final lecture at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies before he became prime minister.

 At the time, a large number of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies students who participated in the incident were indicted and sentenced to prison for violating the law on the punishment of violent acts.

http://japanese.joins.com/article/334/218334.html

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[THAAD] South Korean Prime Minister Thrown with Eggs and Plastic Bottles: Local Residents in Area Where Anti-missiles Are Deployed Protest Violently ©2ch.net

http://mint.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/news4plus/1468563812/

[South Korea/Military] "Do You Think the People of Seongju Are Dogs and Pigs?" Raw Eggs Thrown in Response to Persuasion on THAAD Deployment [7/16] ©2ch.net

http://mint.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/news4plus/1468601941/

South Korean Prime Minister Surrounded by Residents After Raw Eggs Are Thrown!

Why is the South Korean Prime Minister being subjected to such harsh treatment?

1: ★＠＼(^o^)／: 2016/07/20 (Wed) 22:21:40.75

ID:CAP_USER.net

 According to China Youth Network on July 18, 2016, South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn visited Seongju County, North Gyeongsang Province, the site of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system, on July 15, 2016, but was met with fierce criticism from local residents.

 According to South Korea's KBS TV, Prime Minister Hwang visited the area to explain the reasons for the THAAD deployment and the government's support policy for residents. However, upon the Prime Minister's arrival, local residents reacted with fierce opposition. Instead of providing an explanation, some residents yelled, "Who told you to deploy such a thing?" and threw raw eggs and plastic bottles at the Prime Minister.

 Approximately 3,000 local residents attended the briefing. Prime Minister Huang was protected by umbrellas provided by security guards and evacuated to the government building. The suit he was wearing was stained with egg.

 The car carrying the prime minister was then surrounded by residents, and he was unable to move.

http://www.recordchina.co.jp/a145284.html

Establishing a Japanese version "ＣＩＡ？"

  I'm not a right-wing Japanese person; in fact, I've felt for over 20 years that Japan needs a powerful intelligence agency. While I think it's too late now, it might be better to have one than not to have one at all.

 However, the norm of "necessity" and the ability to "operate it properly" are two different things.

 I believe that today's jellyfish-like people, with the faces of chimpanzees and the minds of cockroaches, lack the ability to properly operate an intelligence agency. 

 What happens when people who lack the "ability" to handle things properly brandish the "norm" of "it's necessary! We should do it! We must do it!"? 

 We all know this from experience.

 It's also difficult to draw the line between "intelligence," "public safety," and "national defense" organizations.

 From its inception, the FBI conducted illegal "intelligence" activities. Secretary Hoover investigated all those involved in American "power" and discovered their "weaknesses." 

 It is well known that he "investigated" Kennedy's ties to the Mafia and his "affair" with Marilyn Monroe (a secret rendezvous in the White House) and used them as "weaknesses," and that he even installed listening devices in President Kennedy's bedroom to eavesdrop on his nighttime "affairs."

 After Hoover died, having remained in his "director's" chair for an unusually long period of time, President Nixon ordered the destruction of all the vast amount of material Hoover had left behind.

 Nixon's words at the time are also famous.

 In a country that was a leader in democracy and freedom, one person had held the power of "information" that was so great that it could topple the nation for such a long period of time.

 It is hard to imagine that the Japanese of today, who have become like jellyfish, spineless monkeys, could do something that even the United States and Britain struggle to achieve.

 Considering the character, disposition, life experiences, education, communication skills, and sensibilities of today's "Japanese," I would venture to guess that there's a 90% or higher chance that a Japanese version "CIA" will turn into the "Stasi." At best, I think it'll become like the "Tokkō."

 Before World War II, Japan's intelligence activities were concentrated in mainland China. The South Manchuria Railway Investigation Department and the Kantō Army's (or Kwantung Army's) various special agencies (Tokumu organ) were primarily responsible for this role. This was related to the Imperial Army's plan to control the continent.

 However, within Japan (to be precise, Korea was also part of Japan's "inland" territory; Taiwan and Karafuto were legally (formally) classified as "overseas territories"), security was too lax, and foreign spies were operating in secret (just as it is today).

 The Sorge Affair sent shock waves through Japan's military and political circles. Sorge was fluent in Japanese and had skillfully infiltrated the centers of power among Japanese politicians and army officials, allowing Japan's military secrets to be leaked to the Soviet Union. Japan's leaders were all caught off guard.

 More than going to war, information is the most important weapon for avoiding war or for ending a war.

 The Nomonhan Incident is a good example of this from modern Japan's experience.

 At the time of this armed conflict, neither the Kantō Army (Kwantung Army), the Imperial Army General Staff, nor the government received accurate information. It's true that the Japanese Army's mechanization lagged behind that of the Soviet Army, but the Kantō Army (Kwantung Army), supported by extraordinary mental strength and skillful tactics, continued to put up a tenacious resistance and was not defeated by the Soviet army. In fact, it was winning.

 However, incorrect information was reaching the Japanese government.

 As a result, Stalin at the time was both relieved and pleased. Stalin had accurate information about the battle situation.

 It was more than 50 years after the aforementioned armed conflict, when the Soviet Union collapsed and confidential documents from the Soviet era were made public, that Japan obtained the correct information.

 As I was painfully aware 14 years ago during the 3/11 disaster (Fukushima nuclear accidents), this insular nation is far too ignorant about information.

 On the other hand, I think it was admirable that the Soviet Union (now Russia) stored and preserved the aforementioned confidential documents for over 50 years, and then made them public half a century later. 

 If the situation were reversed and Japan were in the position, all inconvenient documents would have been destroyed.

 Furthermore, Japan had a bitter experience with the issues surrounding President Franklin Roosevelt(FDA) and Secretary of State Hull.

 As is now clear from the Venona files, they were surrounded by many Comintern spies (who were, of course, legitimate American citizens) who carried out operations favorable to the Soviet Union. While the US government's laxity was one issue, Japan's intelligence activities to grasp the situation at the center of American power were insufficient.

 As a result, President Roosevelt turned down Prime Minister Konoe's proposal for a Japan-US summit meeting and took the worst possible measure: an oil embargo on Japan (Japan was dependent on the US for oil at the time).

 Meanwhile, the Japanese also underestimated Roosevelt's reaction to the occupation of southern French Indochina. Just as they had assumed that Roosevelt would not see a problem with the occupation of northern Indochina at the request of the Vichy government, the Japanese were surprised by Roosevelt's strong measures.

 American intelligence activities against Japan were also insufficient. The unique nature of Japan's civil-military relations (in an old paper, Huntington conducted a detailed comparative analysis of prewar civil-military relations in the United States, Germany, and Japan. I believe his analysis of Japan is basically correct. However, due to a lack of materials (he had friends translate Japan-related materials into English for him to read. Times were different, so there was a limit to the amount that could be translated, and financial issues were likely also involved) and the language barrier, his analysis may appear insufficient in light of current circumstances), and the relationship between Emperor Showa and the military, the Cabinet and the Army General Staff, Prime Minister Humimaro Konoe and Foreign Minister Yōsuke Matsuoka, and Army Minister Tojō Hideki and the Army General Staff. 

 If the United States had conducted sufficient intelligence activities regarding the centers of power in Japan, such as the relationship between Emperor Showa (Hirohito) and the military, the relationship between the Cabinet and the Army General Staff, the relationship between Prime Minister Konoe and Foreign Minister Yōsuke Matsuoka, and the relationship between Army Minister Hideki Tojō and the Army General Staff, the US government may not have proposed conditions that were either unacceptable to the Japanese side, or impossible to implement even if accepted, given the unique relationships between Emperor Showa and the political and military sectors.

 

 Furthermore, if the Japanese side had received accurate information from the center of American power, the Japanese government might not have reacted with shock and rage to the sudden presentation of the Hull Note, and its long list of unilateral and difficult-to-implement conditions, by beginning preparations for war.

 The Hull Note was drafted by Comintern spies (it was in the Soviet Union's national interest to pit Britain and America against Japan in the Far East and wear them down). If the Japanese side had been vaguely aware of this (if there had been a secret cooperation system between Japanese and American intelligence agencies), they might have been able to respond differently.

 In today's world, life and death depend on intelligence.

 However, intelligence organizations have a very bad image in Japan.

 The prewar "Tokkō" (Special Higher Police) and postwar "Kōan" (Public Security Intelligence Agency) are strongly associated with the image of "bad guys." 

 The average Japanese person has the impression that the prewar "Special Higher Police (called "Tokkō") and the postwar "Public Security Intelligence Agency (called "Kōan")" were violent organizations that gathered together only cunning and misbehaving people, targeted and surveilled Japanese people, and oppressed the Japanese people and Japanese society.

 Not a single member of the "Special Higher Police" was punished (disciplined) after the war. Apparently, the Americans (not the Allied forces) considered them useful for their "anti-communist" purposes, so they were all acquitted and disappeared, largely anonymous, without a trace (perhaps they just infiltrated somewhere and continued committing the same crimes again?).

 The same can be said about the postwar "Public Security Intelligence Agency." 

 In Japan, people remain afraid to say anything about the postwar "Public Security Intelligence Agency." The media also reports nothing. It is a black box organization.

 I believe that Japan's version of the CIA will be an even more twisted and insidious version of the Kōan, an even more vicious version of the Stasi. 

 In other words, I predict that it will be an organization that is a combination of the Kōan and the Stasi.

 I fear that it will create a group of people who, under the premise that anti-Japanese sentiment is not a crime, will bare their fangs at their own people and will feel no qualms about committing any kind of despicable crime.

END

To strengthen government intelligence, the LDP holds its first meeting... supporting discussions toward the creation of a "National Intelligence Agency."

Published November 14 (Fri) 21:37

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/8d1deb46acd052ebbcaca3f703527c3719ada99e

Excerpt

7 comments

Yomiuri Shimbun Online

Policy Research Council Chairman Kobayashi (center right) delivers a speech (at LDP headquarters on the 14th)

 On November 14, 2025, the LDP held the first meeting of its "Intelligence Strategy Headquarters" at party headquarters to strengthen the government's intelligence (information gathering and analysis) functions. The government plans to establish a "National Intelligence Agency" to serve as a command center, and the LDP will also organize issues and support discussions.

 At the meeting, Kobayashi, Chairman of the Policy Research Council, who has been appointed as head of the headquarters, stated that strengthening intelligence functions is essential to ensuring national interests, and emphasized that "it will enable us to formulate more precise strategies in diplomacy and security." 

 He listed the following as issues to be considered:

　〈1〉 strengthening the government's command center functions; 

　〈2〉 drastically strengthening external intelligence-gathering capabilities; 

　〈3〉 establishing a system to prevent foreign interference.

 At the first meeting, former Director-General of the National Security Secretariat, Kitamura Shigeru, explained the current situation and issues surrounding Japan's intelligence system. Attendees expressed opinions on the need for strengthening functions and how human resources should be developed.

 Strengthening intelligence functions is one of the signature policies of the Takaichi administration. The coalition agreement between the LDP and the Japan Restoration Party clearly states that a National Intelligence Agency will be established during next year's ordinary Diet session.

 The Strategic Headquarters will discuss the specifics of the National Intelligence Agency's authority and functions and compile recommendations.

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Last updated: 11/14 (Fri) 10:47 PM

Yomiuri Shimbun Online

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Newest

5  sak

1 day ago

The government's true colors are showing.

■Currently, public safety and security information is handled by the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office, the Public Security Bureau, the National Police Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of Defense. A bill to centralize and oversee these functions is scheduled to be submitted to next year's ordinary Diet session.

 This is the same move as the creation of the Ministry of Home Affairs to prepare for war.

■Ministry of Home Affairs:

 Disbanded and abolished by GHQ after the war. Prefectural Special Higher Police were subordinate organizations.

 It also led and supervised the national movement during the Total National Mobilization Movement. It was the highest government agency.

 The Total National Mobilization Movement was a militaristic policy implemented by the Imperial Japanese Government in September 1937 (Showa 12) to suppress public discontent and encourage cooperation in the war effort, as the Sino-Japanese War intensified and increased the burden on people's lives. 

 The government established the Imperial Rule Assistance Association and the Intelligence Bureau. This was a policy to control people's lives and thoughts.