[Seanus]

Super commentary above, Ryzorian. It's naturally the bigger powers that engage in such geopolitical antics/theatrics. I liked the point about treaties too. They are often just ways to buy time. Look at the treaties signed from 1930 to 1936 for example. Ignored and used to give the impression that all was well and no malice was forthcoming. The Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact was an international relations act that pulled the wool over many eyes.

It is how America fought then, that's more to the point. Still, many Chinamen are versed in The Art of War by Sun Tzu and its axiomatic content. As Fulford said also, let's not forget that the Chinese could take out US subs with relative ease. I think he is not entirely accurate but they have the means.

The propaganda part was also right on the money. The Japanese saw the Americans as drunks and layabouts. The embargo was a slap in the face to Japan but by no means a declaration of all-out war. Unfortunately, propaganda is here to stay, it's how the press make their astronomical cuts and win the hearts and minds of the public. For that, look no further than the victimisation through inaccurate propaganda against the Serbs. Lies left, right and centre.

As for Japan being more assertive, I applaud that too. Many are too submissive there but they should take their rightful place as a major player and keep their voice heard. Splendid isolation (as an island culture) isn't realistic in modern times, even Britain ditched that policy in 1902.

Komitsuki, Confucianism may be seen as a diffused religion but according to Western conceptions. It certainly has religious aspects and it's better to put it that way. Besides, people defend actions on religious grounds without going to the core elements of religion itself. The dichotomy can be notable, depending on how esoteric you wanna get. It doesn't have an institutional entity like the church, to my knowledge. Religion must involve a big change of state of some description. My limited knowledge of Confucianism tells me that sagedom and the pursuit of that enlightened 'wise' state is characteristic of what a religion is about. However, it does permeate through more as a tool and approach of the state, diminishing the case for it being a religion in our common conception.

Secularism would be yet another point worthy of discussion here.