John Chuckman
COMMENT POSTED TO AN ARTICLE BY GILBERT DOCTOROW IN RUSSIA INSIDER
“Japan's Abe Made a Mighty Fool of Himself at Russia's Eastern Economic Forum
“But then his entire Russia policy has been a joke -- dangling the prospect of measly economic investments in return for the Kuriles while ignoring Russia's very real concern that Japan is a military satellite of a hostile USA”
The article does sum up the situation, although the author tends to some over-the-top statements which, in my view, detract from what he has to say.
But still, this captures the situation in important respects. Abe did look very out of place.
I like the way Putin keeps plugging away at the matter of a Peace Treaty with Japan. His surprise, sudden offer to quickly sign one was a stroke of genius, letting the world know that it wasn't Russia holding things up and at the same time setting Abe a bit off-balance.
I have never been able to understand why Japan became such a cringing supporter of the US.
It has a long, proud history, and achieved miracles in recovery after the disaster of WWII. I've always admired that achievement as well as admired aspects of Japan's culture, being a big fan of their interesting cinema and much enjoying their traditional food.
America's bombing command at one point in WWII couldn't identify much in the way of decent secondary targets left standing. There were no primary ones left.
Such was the devastation by American bombing. Indeed, the atomic bombs, while terrible, did far less damage than the ferocious fire-bombings that were being conducted.
The brutal American General Curtis LeMay conducted a massive campaign of fire-bombing Japanese cities called Operation Starvation.
So, why is Japan so subservient?
Maybe, a form of the Helsinki Syndrome in which a victim begins to identify with his captor?
