Land of the rising sons

[CHIMO]

FOR a long period on Friday, web surfers clicking on Sony’s Chinese site were confronted with a disturbing sight. On top of the usual information about digital cameras and other gadgetry were virulently anti-Japanese messages and the image of a gently flapping Chinese flag.

It was the same story on the websites of Kumamoto University or the Yasukuni Shrine – the Shinto temple dedicated to its war dead. These may only be cyber-attacks, but the past 10 days have produced an unsettling effect: for the first time in decades, Japan feels that it is under siege.

The rising alarm comes as relations between the two largest powers in East Asia have plunged to their most acrimonious and confrontational since the countries normalised diplomatic ties in 1972. History – that of Japan’s imperialist era – is again a potent weapon of provocation and diplomatic language has shifted to that of hot-tempered barbs and thinly veiled threats.

China’s comment that there would be “consequences” from the decision to allow Japanese companies to move in on the area has been taken as a serious warning.

http://www.sundayherald.com/49144

Bolton who?
Perhaps reality has passed some people(s).