Evening star., 1941-11-30
Jopon's Dilemma
EaoIyzed
BIZ Frederic J. Hr-k'r.

| Any one who aspires to analyze the
difference between the United States and
Japan, taking into consideration the
moral perspectives and social outlooks OF
the two peoples, will appreciate their
| divergent viewpoints on national and in
| ternational affairs. Reconciling those
| differences requires more than diplomatic
activity. Indeed. it would be bold
| prophet who would offer solution OF
how to alter Japans ideal, which seem,
to be as Interchangeable as the sun.
Trained in a social code not found in
any western country reared under cir
cumstances al great variance with those
| in the United States, the people Of Japan
possess a psychology wholly strange to
| most Americans. A nation that kills its
cabinet, as the murderers aver, TO Sc
cure the peace: that blandly assures the
west that militarism is dead at the very
moment when militarism is fourlshing,
and attempts as it did in 1886, to restore
medieval feudaism, is difficult to COM
| pIehC1ll.
Some of the misunderstanding comes
from belief that words IN Japan have
! the same meaning that they have in
America. People Of the western portion
Of the world read about events IN Japan
and construe them as the would be con-
strued in Washington, not as the Japa-
nese interpret them Thai is mlslead-
ing. for while Japan Is considered demo-
cratic it does not follow the pattern OF
democracy as practlced IN the United
States IN Japan. democracy is the I'M
:,
with the welfare Of the people" Japan
has a Parliament which cannot govern
the nation. Premier who does not need
majority support. an Emperor who keeps
aioof from nearly all world activities and /,
an elder statesman who enters the arena!
of public life only in emergencies.
Back of this strange form Of denoc-
racy are many centuries of development
or lack of It. From 1887 until Perrys
ships came in 1853. the people Of Japan
lived under rigid martial law. Spy sys-
TENS spread to every nook and corner Of
the islands. Not word against the
empire could be spoken lest sure and
swift vengeance would descend, The ex-
ecutioner was ever alert and strict rules
of caste prescribed minutelv the rights
and privileges Of each unit of the popu
lation and laid down all its duties
Only two generations have passed since
those restrictions were operative, and
their effects still linger in the minds Of
the Japanese. It is an old axiom that
the oppressed develop peculiar qualities
to outWit their masters. and the qualities
so developed survive among the descend
r
been revolutionized so far as politics and
economics are concerned. Yet as result
of time when martial law prevailed,
there still exists an eagerness to please
and a tendency to mold the facts into
more pleasant FORM or, at worst, offer
sullen resentment.
After going through this period OF
regiTnentation. being disciplined to abso-
lutte obedience and not permitted to exer-
else independent thought, the japanese
almost suddenly after the coming OF
Perry. were ushered into the confusion OF
modernism. Not all the bonds were
loosed Immediately. but after the down.
fall of the Shogunate in 1868 the Japa-
nese behaved like children let out OF
school. Style of dress. thought and ac-
ton almost every phase Of life from the
west was adopted, What Europe and
America set as the fashion quickly was
given the stamp of approval IN Japan.
The curiosity for which the japanese are
so we'll known went unrestrained.
But when Japan had exhausted all the
freshness found elsewhere. she dug into
her past for new inspiration for the fu-
ture. That new inspiration has resulted
! in a nationalisn which now grips the
; nation. and Japan is seeking to defend 1t
with all her might. Its outcome Is OF
great interest to the United States and
the world at large.
If left alone. Japan in all probability
would return to the static. But. caught
in the meshes Of industrialism and inter
national affairs, she is swept along By
forces over which she has no control
She apparently. was not willing slgner
of the Axis pact. and today seems to be
in doubt as to which way to turn In
her mental dilemma Japan is shopping
for what she believes will be the best and
safest course to pursue.
If and when that course is decided
upon. it will be easy to carry it out at
home. Propaganda in japanese hands is
exceedingly effective For example, the
Japanese believe that the Emperor can
make no mistake. nor can the nation,
commit q wrongful act. nor can any of
the Emperors servants do a wrong deed
by carrying out the Emperors will. With
such certanties as these to guide them,
the japanese are not concerned with alb
stract ideas of justice. An act. whether
at home or abroad. done in the interest
of the Emperor has an ethical justi-
f1cation.
Thus there comes into focus the es
sential difference between the view
point of the United States and that of
Japan In this country the people. after
! all. dictate the Nations policy. A Presi-
dent may have his opinions, yet his
wishes may not be gratified. But in
Japan, ST. Francis Xaviers statement
This nation is the delight Of my soul"
, expresses the viewpoint of every Japa-
nese so long as it is the viewpoint Of the
Emperor And that is the nation which
the United States faces as possible
enemy-a nation that can see no wrong
, and where every act has sort OF relig-
ious sanction when done In the interest
, of the chief rulers will.
Chino's Morale and Method