tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post6349831665199193748..comments2023-10-09T00:45:55.603+09:00Comments on Shisaku: Sitting On The Dock Of The HarbourMTChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626942240117432624noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post-22185994481858641252014-09-05T16:12:25.189+09:002014-09-05T16:12:25.189+09:00For what it's worth (and in case it's gris...For what it's worth (and in case it's grist for the mill of future posts! :P), here's more up to date data on Australian perceptions of overseas countries (<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-04/10-charts-australia-foreign-affairs/5719578" rel="nofollow">news report</a>, <a href="http://politicsir.cass.anu.edu.au/polls-and-surveys/anupoll/polls/foreign_aid2014" rel="nofollow">original data</a>).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14308460004045843999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post-6992704831975806222014-06-12T06:32:18.597+09:002014-06-12T06:32:18.597+09:00It would be interesting to find out what else come...It would be interesting to find out what else comes of recent talks on defense trade between Japan and Australia. Co-production would entail the sharing of sensitive technical information and a longer term logistical relationship. While Australia may not intend to offend China, the latter's paranoia regarding any country shoring up ties with Japan is notorious as you've noted. So if China overreacts to Australian defense cooperation with Japan, I don't think Canberra will simply beg forgiveness. If anything, the government may feel some political pressure to increase ties with Japan so as not to be perceived as being pushed around by the Middle (of the Northern Hemisphere) Kingdom.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post-23331261043835332542014-06-12T02:13:03.291+09:002014-06-12T02:13:03.291+09:00Dear Mr. Camilleri -
All valid points and all acc...Dear Mr. Camilleri -<br /><br />All valid points and all accepted.<br /><br />Nevertheless, what I have seen with my own eyes of Australia (which is admittedly not very much) is incredibly fizzy -- and that incredible fizziness is tied directly to China's being Australia's "good customer."<br /><br />No Australian government in its right mind would do anything radical enough to upset its good customer, especially if that customer has a reputation for being spiteful and rash. <br /><br />An entire generation of Australians have grown up without a knowledge of tough times. Another one has built up its entire work history in fat years. These tens of millions have never faced a wake up call and frankly, do not want to be woken up.<br /><br />The current Chinese government has made it abundantly clear that it has an irrational need to isolate Japan, seemingly willing to conceive of almost anything ("Be magnanimous toward the Indians on the LOC in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh? Why not?") to prevent a Japanese-accomodating resistance to Chinese blandishments.<br /><br />Australian governments will do the calculus of what is right for Australians based on what is doable, not only what is noble. Abe Shinzo, in direct contact only with minions, ideologues and foreign LDP whisperers, and without much of a mind of his own to rely upon for balance, may be lulled into thinking Australian governments may do otherwise.<br />MTChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04626942240117432624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post-8473871137884034222014-06-11T23:45:12.915+09:002014-06-11T23:45:12.915+09:00I'm an Australia living in Japan and for what ...I'm an Australia living in Japan and for what it's worth, I'd be wary of reading too much into the way whaling shapes Australia/Japan relations.<br /><br />Whaling is certainly a problem. People don't like it and it has almost the perfect tabloid formula of beloved animals, disturbing cruelty and comically ridiculous justifications that ensures self-righteous coverage in the Australian press.<br /><br />But the amazing thing is perhaps how, despite the visibility of the issue, it has little impact on the overall relationship. People seem to be able to separate in their minds the issue of whaling (about which they feel strongly) and their feelings to Japan more generally. As far as I'm aware, whaling has not affected tourist numbers from Australia to Japan (unlike, say, the Senkaku/Dokudo dispute) and doesn't really seem to do that much to pull down people's attitude towards Japan (which is generally viewed as a safe, successful and respected nation).<br /><br />Contrast that with China. While Australians value the relationship with China and recognise the benefits it has brought, I think there's a deep skepticism towards the country. China seems oblivious to the way in which its actions towards smaller countries (like Vietnam or the Philippines) appear to be those of a bully. And that's the kind of thing that doesn't go down well.<br /><br />I wouldn't expect Australia to be leaping at the chance to participate in some sort of Greater East Asia Co-Containment Sphere, but having said that, we did sign up pretty quickly to that base for U.S. Marines being plopped in the far north of the country. A decision that was taken under the previous centre-left government and which wasn't, as far as I can tell, because of concern about Indonesia. (The current centre-right government is even more predisposed to support Japan.)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14308460004045843999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post-69147005373278238172014-06-11T06:49:40.905+09:002014-06-11T06:49:40.905+09:00H.M.A.S Vampire surely?H.M.A.S Vampire surely?Brodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14734796372931402178noreply@blogger.com