“The people of Japan are genuinely kind. However, that kindness, to put it plainly, is ‘naiveté’ and ‘weakness’.”
This is the deeply felt, painful true voice of Mr. Sun, who has experienced the inner workings of Chinese society firsthand.
For years, he has conveyed the “true intentions” (honne) hidden behind the “public face” (tatemae) of the Chinese to the Japanese people.
Now, he offers his strongest and final warning.
As the U.S. and China approach a “G2 era” that will divide the world, the Japanese tendencies toward the “belief in intrinsic goodness” (Seizen-setsu) and “acting like the mature party” are, regrettably, ineffective.
Worse, they could become the biggest vulnerability that forces you into the position of “the exploited.”
Are you unconsciously behaving like a “mark” or “easy prey” to the Chinese people you encounter?
This is not merely a government-level problem.
Unless the “national temperament” of every single Japanese person changes, the country will simply become a “pawn” in the great power game.
Japanese people must understand the critical differences with China.
You must internalize these three points and shatter your “naive common sense.”
