Under these circumstances, we can address problems in a global agenda, such as environment, population, and human rights.
The problem is that the case of Asia is not the same as that of Europe.
Simply speaking, Russia or Far Eastern Russia (including the northern territories that Russia occupies) has not gone away from Japan at all, in spite of the termination of the Cold War. Nothing has changed since the eras of Czarist Russia and the Communist Soviet Union.
Asia has been undergoing a era of nationalism, just as 19th century Europe. in the 19th century, the Napoleonic Wars occurred in Europe. After the end of the wars, an era of nationalism came.
In Asia, colonial days ended after the end of World War II. With the disturbances put down, Asia has entered a period of seeking large-scale railroads and ports, educational institutions such as elementary and junior high schools and colleges and universities, as well as armed forces.
Countries in Asia compete with each other to meet these desires, expanding economic growth and national power. The present situation in Asia is superimposed on that of 19th century Europe. In Europe, approximately 30 years after the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, the revolutionary time came to n end in 1848. Half a century later witnessed a
remarkable development.
In Asia, the World War ended in 1945. During the 30 years that followed, the Vietnam War
ceased and the Cultural Revolution in China almost came to an end. Since then, Asia has undergone remarkable developments. Now, it is in the era of nationalism.
However, Japan and Western countries have already experienced the era of nationalism. They knew its advantages, or glory, and benefited from it, of course, they made mistakes and learned the foolishness and vanity of nationalism. However, it is meaningless to preach about such vanity to China and other nations. China, in particular, has endured 150 years of humiliation, and has not experienced the glory of nationalism ever before. Therefore, China wants to experience the glory or authority of nationalism first hand. After that, the country will know of the vanity of nationalism, and then China will address the global agenda.
Currently, the world order has a two-fold structure. This is a major problem. Many people argue that we should address the problem squarely.
Among them, Prof. Akihiko Tanaka of the University of Tokyo discusses in his recent book
