Brief history of East Asia










Japan, China and Korea

Asian civilization has spread from China in ancient time as European civilization has spread from Mesopotamia. However Mesopotamia civilization has communicated with ancient Egipt and ancien India resulting European civilization succeeded these 3 big civilizations.

On the other hand, ancient China was completely isolated from other big civilizations. While European civilization changed taking quite extensive and various thought, sense of value, experience of 3 big civilizations, China was isolated from others. Ancien China was too big and strong, therefore no challanger exsisted. This has been continued for several thousands year until today.

Ancient countries, such as Greece, Roma, Egipt, have developed to modarn Europe counries where democracy is achieved as the result of many frictions, competitions, cooperations, exchanging culture of each other. Europe learned eventually democracy is the best way.

China had no chance to change. No chance to obtain democracy. Because China has been only one huge military and cultual power in this region for several thousands years. They have had no experience nor necessity to cooperate or compromise with any other power, but only controlled by force. Therefore they have had no need to obtain democracy. In other words, China have not evolved since several years ago in mentality. Only choice of Chine is to make other countries obay in the diplomatic relations. They do not know, moreover they cannot to imagine to compromise nor cooperate with others.

You may find the word "sinocentrism" on the net. Yes, the above is sinocentrism. It is quite normal to change the world rule by force as they desire. This means, when the others' power is more strong, China would obay, never resist. You may understand why China never claim to UK, and other European countries though China was inveded, devided and dominated by these coutries extensively before Japan-China war. China dominate by power, therefore accept to be contorolede by power. Now it is clear why they acuse by that war harshly and strictly for only Japan. It is because Japan have been in sinocentrism area, they believe.

Imagine, ancient Roman Empire who dominated the small countries by their huge military power have become modern Europe where they cooperate and trust each other. Also imagine ancient China who did the same as ancient Roman Empire have become Modern China doing the same as their ancestors. Just after WW2 was over, China made war 17 times against the neighbor countries, with no negotiation but unfair insistence, but not against Japan as Japan had been the strongest in Asia. Recently they increased military power tremendously and especially by nuke armament, so China decided to subordinate Japan. China's decision is always based on that sinocentrism as 1000years ago.

Japan, meanwhile China stays at ancient violent stage, have changed to the modern domocracy country. Of course Japan won't submit China's rule, but wanted to cooperate. Japan have aded China with world largest ODA, transfer of the most advanced technology, human resause etc. Japan believed China will be the good partner when they become modern country, but the return was their oneside endless requirement "Give more, obay".

On the other hand, Korea was quite different. They have been China's slave since they made the first coutry on the Korean Penisula. They had never achieved indipendence by herself till Japan surrendered in that war.

After Japan won the 1st Japan-China war in 1894, Japan concluded Shimonoseki Treaty with China. In this treaty Japan freed Korea from the Chinese slavery. After that we supported Korea with financial aide, transfer of the advanced technology as Japan did against China. The return was oneside unfair requirement same as China. I will write later again the background of their atitude.

By the way, Japan has quite different history. The first written record about Japan is found on Chinese history book in 3rd century. In ancient time, of course Japan was primitive and influenced by huge Chinese culture, i.e. Chinese character, political system, technology, Buddhism etc. by sendeing the studcents and receiving the teachers. Therefore Japan was developing with Chinas's influence in that era. Also, Japan modefied these Chinese infuluence into Japanese unique civilization. One example is Japanese character. Japan modified original Chinese character which is ideograph into hirakana and katakana which is phonogram.

We admit that a great part of Japanese culture is based on Chinese one, but not remains same as original one. It is same as European and American situation. And of course Japan rejected unnecessary custom from ancient Chenese culture, i.e. cannibalism (See Wiki, chapter of China), Foot binding (see Wiki) or Imperial examination (See Wiki) etc.

Later Japan shut the official channel down with China, but added many unique Japanese own culture, thus Japan have developed to unique modern Japan. As you know well Japan is one of the most advanced countries in the World in political system, education, technology, people's world longest average life span and healthy life expectancy, least crime rate etc.

Japan is surrounded by the sea which has protected Japan for thousands years from China's violentic domination. Therefore Japan could form quite peaceful society. There was no necessity to fight with other country nor to be afraid of other's slavery domination.

It is believed, especially by western people, that the democracy started in Europe. However it started in Europe as well as in Japan independently. Japan started the general election system just after opening the country in 1873. But the same election system as ancient Roman Imperial is recorded in 731. Japan has known concept of democracy for long time as Japan was basicaly the agriculcual country. People must cooperate in the aguricultur. Moreover Japan is country of natural disaster such as tyhoon, tsunami, eathquake, eruption and more. Therefore people must help each other and cooperate. In such circumstances, people must gather each person's experience and wisdom. People must trust each other, otherwise they could not survive. Eventually Japan has become quite different country from China.

This is the breaf background of the history in the East Asia. I will add the details from time to tome in accordance with necessity.

Next theme is :

2 Japan-China War, Japan-Russia War

First Sino-Japanese War 1894, Russo-Japanese War 1904






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