This week, it’s
China versus
Japan. There have been tensions between the two countries for years, and this week they clash heads again in a similar incident to the Iranian capture of American hikers.
China and
Japan haven’t been on good terms ever since WWII.
Japan captured much of
China during WWII, and killed many Chinese in brutal ways.
Japan showed no mercy to women or even children. To them, the shame of surrender was unforgivable; however,
China’s views were very different.
China regarded the Japanese invaders as monsters, fearing and hating them.
Japan’s brutal takeover of
China was not so easily forgotten, despite the change in heart of modern
Japan. Though things aren’t as bad as they were, it doesn’t take much to set them aflame against each other.
Recently, a Chinese vessel was incarcerated by the Japanese. The Japanese argue the vessel rammed them close to an uninhabited group of islands owned by
Japan. Senkaku, in Japanese, or Diaoyu in Chinese, these islands have been the subject of much debate over the last few decades. (
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/23/world/asia/23chinajapan.html?_r=1&ref=world)
China is in disagreement that
Japan should hold the captain of the vessel hostage, and argues as an act of diplomacy,
Japan should release them.
Japan argues this is a case of legalities, and not of diplomacy.
China is ready to take action should Japan decline to return the captain to his family. Several protests and inflammatory comments have been geared against
Japan already, however the Japanese people seem to feel
Japan should try the captain. Hopefully they can come to some sort of an agreement on the issue, and avoid further conflict.
Next Wednesday, the Japanese will decide whether or not to release the captain. With any luck, they will release him and apologies will be said from either side.
(
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/23/world/asia/23chinajapan.html?_r=1&ref=world)
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