Comments on: China-Japan Tensions Rise to Highest Levels Since World War II

By: Masatomo Sakairi

Masatomo Sakairi — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 18:40:18 +0000

I completely agree with this article. I especially agree with Glenn’s comment about “Beijing damning Tokyo is akin to ‘blaming the person being bullied for going to the gym to get in shape so that he can stand up better to bullying in the future.’” It’s only natural for Japan to feel threatened if a neighboring country (especially as powerful as China) exercises aggression toward another neighboring country (such as Taiwan). It’s so funny talking to all the Chinese in Japan who say that Japan is safe as it always has been even though the Chinese government warns tourists and students that Japan has become a dangerous place. The Chinese government should really try to figure out better lies that can’t be debunked so easily!

By: Peter Isackson

Peter Isackson — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 20:42:03 +0000

For a complementary and more culturally oriented take on how current actions such as Trump's in Venezuela or provocative rhetoric such as Takaichi's, I recommend this contribution by my former classmate, Stephen Roach: https://stephenroach.substack.com/p/what-does-venezuela-impy-for-taiwan?isFreemail=true&post_id=184046852&publication_id=2495006&r=16om0&triedRedirect=true. Stephen lets Sun Tzu provide the final word: "When your strategy is deep and far-reaching … you can win before you even fight.” Strategy is more than contrasing attitudes of opposing interests, expressed and understood as a buildup for decisive action. Sometimes it's history itself that makes the decisions, not the poor players who strut and fret upon the stage.