Japan Press Weekly

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2015 March 11 - 17 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

What are the similarities and differences between Japan and Germany?

Akahata ‘current’ column

Japan and Germany are said to have some common features. Both the Japanese and Germans are often characterized as honest and hardworking people. The two nations achieved remarkable economic recoveries after the defeat in World War II. They do show these similarities.

There are, of course, many differences between the two countries. A Japanese author living in Germany wrote that the Germans are much more assertive and better at thinking logically and critically. Noticeable differences can also be found in the two governments’ current political directions.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel recently visited Japan for the first time in seven years. She provided various topics for discussion. One of the topics concerns the drastic change in the German government’s nuclear policy. Soon after Japan experienced the Fukushima nuclear meltdown in 2011, Germany declared that it would decommission eight of its reactors immediately and the remaining nine by 2022.

Merkel said that the Fukushima crisis, which occurred in a country with highly-developed technologies, made her realize the high risk of unforeseeable nuclear accidents. With her confidence in nuclear safety shaken, the German national leader made a political decision to change the course of the country from pro-nuke to anti-nuke.

The two governments also take much different attitudes toward historical issues. Japan’s Abe government is reluctant to show remorse over the past war of aggression and neglects to improve relationships with South Korea and China. Germany has been steadily working for reconciliation with neighboring countries. Merkel stressed that to deal honestly with the past is a precondition for the reconciliation.

Prime Minister Abe said Japan and Germany are important partners sharing basic values. However, the differences between the two are obvious in regard to nuclear power and historical issues. The two countries are going in the quite different ways. Which one will lead to a brighter future?