Hey.

Do you guys think that Taiwan or South Korea is better comparable with Japan? In terms of moderness, government, history, language, politics, culture, religion, nightlife, youth culture, dramas, skyscrapers, and cities?

Thanks.

hmm. i dont know what you're trying to acheive by asking this, but in terms of moderness, japan was first to modernize in asia, so there.

Well, I like to compare two countries together.

I was just asking in those terms, which country is more comparable and alike to Japan? Taiwan or SK?

You can do an entire term paper on this and conclude that-
None of those countries has any real semblance to Japan.
That's my cop-out answer.

Japan
South Korea
Taiwan

there you go

Taiwan is very similar to Japan. They received Japanese Meiji education, they have very similar ways of thinking as us, they have high moral standards that are similar to Japanese, they have similar tastes, and their entire island was pretty much built by the japanese, so in similarity I think Taiwan beats Korea. The Taiwanese really love the Japanese and a large portion of their population speaks Japanese, even their younger generations.

Korea was also helped by Japan but not as much as Taiwan. We built their railroads, their sewage system, and modernized their cities, but they maintained their strict Korean cultures and they still hate us like no other. Until a year ago, Korea had banned all Japanese entertainment from being sold in the country (something very undemocratic).

All in all, if you look at each part individually, definitely Taiwan is more similar to Japan. Language-wise, the city, the culture, the language, and even their personalities and ways of thinking. Koreans are similar to Japanese too, but not as much as the Taiwanese are.

actually all the stuff japan built in korea during ww2 were in north and destroyed during the war. so basically there was nothing left post korean war.
taiwan's case is different i guess. they didnt have to experience any serious war and they pretty much kept the industrial base that japan built for them.

When the japos 1st came on Taiwan it had no modern infrastructure.

Only the natives lived there but when China lost the Island to Japan in the 1st sino japanese war they had to give up not only korea but the island of formosa in the treaty of shimonoseki.

It was an important colony and base because the weather is sub tropical so they could do research on plants which grow in those conditions for there war machine.So they set up a university called the Taihoku imperial university later renamed to National Taiwan university after the nationalist govt came to power which was one of the nine imperial universities.

You can read about the history here
http://www.takaoclub.com/opium/index.htm

Not too difficult to answer most of these.

moderness: south korea

government: south korea

history: you cant really compare

language: korean is similar to japanese because we share the same origin.

politics: you cant really compare this either but i think south korea is more similar to japan in politics than taiwan.

culture: cant compare

religion: south korea

nightlife: I dont know

Youth culture: south korea

dramas: I don't know

cities: Taiwan their cities are heavily congest just like ours.

Both were occupied by Japan, so both absorbed Japanese culture.

South Chosun.

He is asking about similarity between the countries. I definitely think that Taiwan is more similar than Korea to Japan.

I feel very comfortable in Taiwan, the people think the same way as me, many speak Japanese, they received Japanese education (and their current education system is still very similar to Japanese), they have very similar tastes, they have Japanese convenience stores and Japanese goods, and their people are very hospitable and kind to Japanese people.

Korea is very hostile towards Japanese, I felt. Not as much as Chinese people, but Koreans don't like Japanese people very much (because of WWII and for other reasons as well). Korea feels a little different than Japan. A feeling. I cannot explain it. When I'm there, I really feel like I'm in a foreign country. The language is different, the culture, the people. Korea is very strange to me.

When I'm in Taiwan, I feel like I'm just in a different part of Japan.

SK + TW < JPN

thank you, very much, toyko. You have comfirm some belief i had about the taiwan island

You guys, thanks for your answers. It was very nice of you! =)

I too think Taiwan, but South Korea is always compared. I mean do Taiwanese people think like us more so than the Koreans? Are their geographical, political, and cultural ties to us stronger than the Koreans?

Taiwan was part of Japan a long time ago. They received Japanese, meiji education, they have similar morals to us, and they have very similar tastes. They still have an education system similar to ours and they respect Japanese ideals.

Koreans on the other hand, were not under Japanese rule long enough to fully obtain all the benefits of being part of Japan. Although we fixed their cities by giving them trains and running water and we tried to educate them, they refused. If they had been under Japanese rule for longer, I am sure they would be as grateful as the Taiwanese were.

Yes. I know that Taiwan was under Japanese rule for fifty years, and Korea for about thirty five. Are the Taiwanese like China and South Korea, always protesting Japanese actions?

STFU. You talk about the benefits of jpn, but, you don't say anything about the atrocities. FYI despite the modernization, korean lives were more miserable ( for those that lived) then before you idiot.

Koreans refused to take japanese education, because the japanese was trying to destroy korean culture you idiot. Koreans weren't allowed to speak korean or learn about their own history in school during the colonization.

^exactly... My grandfather grew up around that time. He was forced to learned the Japanese language and also was beaten for using a Korean word.

so jews should be greatful to the germans huh.

Mista Mujige, that analogy may be true to Korea, but to Taiwan, I don't think so. Though there were some atrocities in Taiwan, there were not many. The Taiwanese realized that the Japanese were better than the Imperial Qings and after that the Mainlanders.

you should milden "anti-korean" thinking in this context. Suzu is not asking your like or dislike. I dont like korean looks on your post and heaten up their hatred toward us.

As far as being modern goes, Japan is really on top of things. Korea concentrates a little too much on Education (this is of course, a good thing, but as we all know, overspecialization leads to death) and Entertainment. Taiwan, received the Meiji Era's education and some culture (And at least they stick to the regular Chinese language system instead of using Simplified Chinese, which I can't even begin to comprehend)

Politically, Korea is fu-ked up. Taiwan is fu-ked up. At least Japan has somewhat of a lasting system going for them.

After that, well it's hard to say. ^^

Yeah... Korea's politicians are corrupt bastards... Roh Moo Hyun is a freaking communist

Yeah, not only that, all our 'Presidents' keep taking bribes 'n $hit. The current President's first wife gives out free scholarships to other Kwon's because Kwon is all one clan, as opposed to Lee or Kim or other names. Goddamn ridiculous.

I have been doing my research, and it does seem that Taiwan is more comparable. But I'm still looking back to Korea. But, then again, if the Taiwanese think like we do, then that's reason enough. Thanks guys!!!

If Korea hadn't attacked Japanese soldiers and resisted, I'm sure Japanese soldiers would have no reason to attack them back. The same treatment was given to both Taiwanese and Koreans. But eventually the Taiwanese came to accept the Japanese but the Koreans never got the chance to.

Now, the Taiwanese who have received lots of Japanese influence are very thankful for our presence. They are very kind to Japanese and they will never forget what we did for them.

The Koreans never got to fully experience the benefits of being Japan. The Japanese government treated Korea as another prefecture and was run in the same way as other prefectures of Japan were. Instead of a conquered country, the Japanese government tried to treat Korea as just another equal part of Japan. Of course, our military leaders were idiots and many took action on their own. Our government was losing power and command over generals and many made irrational decisions. But eventually, Korea would have felt thankful towards the Japanese. I don't agree with what the Japanese did, but I still think that the Koreans would have liked modernizing too. This is what Seoul, their capital city (and biggest city at the time) looked like before Japanese occupation:



The city conditions were terrible and amongs the worst in the world. People were throwing their waste on the streets, disease was rampant, there was no running water, no flat roads, and people were living terrible standards of living. On the other hand, Japan was a modernized country by this time and they were trying to do the same for Korea (since it would be in their best interests. I'm not saying Japan was trying to help Korea because they are a benevolent race, I'm saying Japanese capitalism called for aiding of Korea). You see, when you hear that all that Japan did for Korea was bad, you are definitely hearing a biased story. Japan did terrible things to the Koreans. But Japan was also trying hard to do what best for Korea as well. Of course, what they thought was best might not have been correct. Also, the leaders of Japan never intended for the terrible things to happen. Because of stupid generals who were in Korea, many mistakes were made.

Please, don't say that Japan is evil and that Korea is always the vicitm. This is not always true. Korea has done many terrible things to us too.

Korea was resisting because it was the japanese soldiers who were killing koreans (does the murder of Queen Min ring any bells?)! Not the other way around, and if you have forgotten Japan took possesion of the country without the will of the people. Japan modernized Korea for their own benefit not for the benefit of korea, every resources they mined and harvested were sent back to japan, japanese people took up the best jobs and positions in korea. They weren't helping us they were helping themselves.

They brain-washed and used koreans as shock-troops for the IJA during WW2. And what do koreans get for their services? Most qualified koreans aren't even commisioned as officers.

And before the annexation Korea was already in the mist of modernization! And even if it wasn't Jpn can't force their help on us.



Like I said Jpn tried to eradicate korean culture and language, to make it more "japanese". That was the idea of the Imp. jpn govt.





Join the japanese army, work in peacekeeping, and reflect back on how much help japan really did for korean society. And I don't mean by modernization.

You throw around the word modernization too much. Anyone who has been trained for peacekeeping missions knows it takes more then reconstruction skills to win the hearts and minds of the people.



I don't hold any grudges at the japanese for what happened. In fact my 3rd favorite person here is Florenze and she's half japanese.


I don't even hate any country. I only hate individuals.

I can't believe he wrote something like that.
Japan did try to eradicate korean culture and language
and luckily it did not succeed.
Koreans won't hate the Japanese for no particular reason u know.
Anyway, I think Korea is more similar to Japan compared to Taiwan.
I have been to Taiwan and I don't find it really similar to Japan.

That's so sweet of u
So who is your favourite person?

So Taiwan and Korea were both different prefectures? What were they called? And what was Seoul and Taibei known as in Japanese.

Korea? Modernising? Korea was an independent state, I admit. Not like the Communist Chinese who claim that Tibet was theirs. But Korea was a feudal kingdom which had recently opened to the Europeans. Since it had, it had been a battle ground between the Chinese, the Russians, and the Japanese.

Korea was not modernising. It made some, which had no influence, on Korean culture.

Look at Taiwan! Before 1895, it was nothing but a small island with towns, electricity, no running water, and basically wilderness. In 1945, it was developed into what it is today.

Well, I guess Taiwan vs. South Korea is still up for debate. Carry on.

I typed that up at 2:00 in the morning.

I don't hate the country, but, I do hate governments. For instance the Communist N.Korean govt. and Imp. japanese govt.

I don't hate the general population of either of the two nations.



Well, Mantis and WhoAmI are my favorite members that I interact with.


However....


You can be on top of my list if you "like like" me.



Korea reformed education and policy as part of the modernization effort, and signed trade agreements with modern countries. In the end the efforts were too little too late.

You said that Korea was taken over without the consent of the people. Look at this statement again. Taken over without the consent of the people. How many countries actually get taken over WITH the consent of the people. I have never heard of an invasion where the people wanted to be invaded. Even Iraq, under a cruel dictatorship, its people wanted to be under Hussein rather than Bush. There are no or maybe one or two invasions in history that were with the consent of the people.

Secondly, like I stated in my previous post, Japan DID NOT invade Korea for Korea's benefit. I said that Japan invaded Korea for Japan's benefit. All invasions are for the benefit of the invading country no matter what they say. This is obvious. But it was in Japan's self interest to modernize Korea as Korea was now their state. Japan legally and rightfully took over Korea. At that time in history, every European country was taking over Asian countries by force and eradicating their culture. This was a legitimate practice at the time. Japan wanted to follow suit as a modern nation. Now Japan, in order to get the spoils of owning Korea, built railroads to transport troops and goods. NOT because they wanted to help Koreans. Japan built sewage systems NOT because they wanted to help Koreans but because they wanted to help the Japanese who lived there. They wanted to get rid of all the rampant diseases and terrible hygiene conditions.

I am not saying Japan is some benevolent nation trying to help the world. I am saying that Japan was a capitalistic nation that worked trying to fulfil its self-interest. In doing so, Japanese helped Korea too. It did not ONLY hurt the Koreans. In fact, there are still some Koreans who are very thankful for the Japanese education they received. It was a better education than any education they received while they were still Korea. As Japan, Korea received a Japanese education, this is nothing wrong. It was another prefecture and as another prefecture, they received same education. Knowing Japanese was beneficial to Koreans as they could better their status. Teaching them Japanese was a responsibility for the Japanese people. In hindsight, we can see that knowing Japanese is useless in the future as Japan had lost the war. But many Koreans who know Japanese are still living far better lives than those who do not know Japanese. Japanese educated Koreans have a higher standard of living as well.

I do not try to legitimize what the Japanese troops did. They did terrible things; they made big mistakes. But Japanese government tried to make Korea another great part of Japan. They tried to do so under the international laws and common knowledge at the time. You have to excuse people for thinking the way they did back then because that was the way everyone in the modern, western world thought.

WHAT? How is it "legal" to invade and occupy a nation?

Did not HURT koreans? Why did invading Japanese forces RAPE the LAST QUEEN OF KOREA?

Not to mention they forced all Koreans to adopt Japanese Shinto, and Crucified all Korean Christians (so they can go to heaven)

So in your opinion what was the Imperial Japanese government motive for invading sovereign nations in Asia? Was it because Japan was a small country, with limited resouces that needed to expand at the expense of her neighbors? Or was it because Japan, the enlightened, being the first Asian country to modernized and wanted to unified and modernized Asia together through her sphere of influence to defend ourselves from the West? Was the human laboratory in Manchuria research to be used to fight off the West if they expand or was it meant to kill Asian people?

I'm asking serious questions and in no way a mockery. I'm just curious what Japanese people motives were. I never get around to learning Japanese people, they seems like really nice and shy people when I see them, but living in the West, all I hear was the US version of Japan. First she was the "evil empire" out to take over all of Asia in the pacific, then after the war it was, Japan is our bestfriend and our ally against the big bad REDS.

Though, nothing explain the raping, but I guess that's just bad military ethics by the soldiers. If I'm not wrong, I heard that the German army, though committed genocides, never commited a rape. Good discipline I say, or was it because they don't want to rape people inferior to them? Not even sure if it's true, though.

In fact, I have no idea what the motives our stupid leaders had to invade other countries. My theory is that after winning a few wars (Japan-Sino War and Japan-Russo War) our military leaders just got a little too proud of themselves and full of themselves. They thought they could continue on and take over more land. They also thought that what they were doing was okay because many other nations were doing it.

I never said that raping and murder were legal. But it was a legitimate practice at the time to take over land and make it a colony. Every European country and America was doing this. They were taking over lands and making it their own. Japan just followed the Western practice by invading Korea. And since Japan won, they were allowed to keep Korea. Even now, America and Britain and many other European nations still keep some of their old lands that they took over by force. I think it is not fair that Japan had to return so much of their land that they rightfully took. (I am not saying that invading is right, I am saying that Japanese people risked their lives in order to obtain those lands so they should have a right to keep it).

America is also a country that cannot be fully trusted. They started WWII with Japan. Yes, you read that last sentence correctly. It was AMERICA that caused the war between Japan and America. FDR knew that he could not get a war between Germany and America because of the anti-war position he had when he was elected and the anti-war sentiment at home. He needed to be attacked by Hitler. But Hitler was too busy with other countries. He could not attack America. So FDR made Japan attack America so that he could go to war with Germany. FDR knew of the Japanese plans as early as the year before. He knew exactly where they would attack and when. Instead of backing out his troops from Pearl Harbor, he decided to sacrifice all his old ships and over a thousand American lives. All the documents from this time period are still classified for "security reasons." This is the kind of country America is. A country that lies to its people so that rich men can get richer. It cannot be trusted.

Korea is more similar to Japan. Just compare the geographics, Korea and Japan are right next to one another--throughout history there has been a constant exchange of information and culture between the 2 countries. It's only recently that relations have gone awry.

Even the Japanese recognized that Koreans were similar to them--why do you think they tried to make Koreans into Japanese citizens?

Koreans are so similar to Japanese companies that they are going head to head now. Honda v. Hyundai, Samsung v. Sony.

Koreans and Japanese are very similar in personality--narrow-minded and selfish. That's why they don't get along. Taiwanese are the other hand are probably more open and nicer--maybe that's why relations between Japan and Taiwan are better.

I agree that Koreans are very similar to Japanese people. The language is sometimes indistinguishable to the casual ear even for a Japanese person. On a staticy radio, if I heard a Korean song I wouldn't be able to tell if it is Korean or Japanese.

Koreans have high standards of morals just like Japanese people. They are an intelligent race and they highly cherish their traditions, culture, and history.

Personality-wise, I don't know if we are that similar. Japanese people are a much more docile race even from before WWII. WWII showed the ugly eccentric minority of Japanese people but as history has shown, Japanese people have been a pretty quiet bunch. Koreans have a sad history of being invaded constantly by foreign powers. Because of this, Koreans have an intense fear and hatred of foreigners. They are very hot-blooded and they like competing. Japanese people hate competition. We are taught in school not to try to win but to try your best. Japanese schools have stopped racing children during physical education in elementary school because races put ranks on children. Koreans constantly try to show that they are better than Japanese people. We Japanese people love all that Korea has to offer. They have great food, great music, great television, great movies, great soccer players, etc.

Japanese ties with Korea can easily be strengthened if only Korea decided to overcome its pride.

Are you sure doode? Who have you heard lately that has showed off to their friends that they drive a Hyundai and has recently bought a Samsung PDP?

And no, Taiwanese are not nice people, look at how they treat the Filipinos, Vietnamese and mainland Chinese.

If anything, Taiwan - Japan relations are in good shape because Taiwan always has had an inferiority complex with the Japanese, not to metion Mr. Lee "Japan wannabe" Teng Hui's leadership during his reign.

Koreans don't have the pedigree of the Japanese because their goods haven't been as around as long as Japanese ones have. I really would not count out the Koreans. They are getting better and better each year.

I was just making the comparison that Taiwan does not have these huge companies as Japan and Korea.

I also find that the languages are so very scarily similar.

Koreans are not prideful but nationalistic, just as the Japanese, except they're more open about it. I would agree that there are some personality differences--the most notable being that Japanese are very reserved, whereas the Koreans are open. But I don't know about the other differences you noted. I find the Japanese just as competitive, except it's not as obvious as with the Koreans.

japan wouldnt be what it is today if it werent for competition.
competition motivates you to bring out your best.

It is Japanese belief that becoming number one is bad. Japanese people have always felt that living a modest life is always the most successful and happy life. While there are some extremely rich people in Japan, most believe that flaunting your wealth or trying to become wealthy is a bad thing.

On the other hand, Koreans tend to believe that it is a good thing to show off your wealth. It shows that you have worked hard and deserved it. Koreans, as soon as they obtained a little opulence, will go and buy something that is clearly shows their wealth. This is something Japanese people will not do. Koreans tend to like lavishing their appearance for this reason. Koreans tend to wear more brilliant colors with more expensive materials. They have one of the highest plastic surgery rates per capita.

I think one of the problems of Japan is the lack of desire for competition. Competition is what makes capitalism work, but people in Japan don't want to work hard and earn that extra cash. They work hard because they feel they have to. Modesty and thrift are characteristic flaws of Japanese people and we have to learn from the Koreans in this aspect.

I can't agree more. I think japanese need to become more competative than they currently are.

You have got to be kidding me. The Japanese don't like competition???????????????


After WWII, since japan could no longer concentrate their efforts on the military, their new endeavor was "The Japanese Economy". Economic war.

Their goal was to beat the West at their own game. They were EXTREMELY competitive. There were many companies and they all competed against each other.

You obviously do not even know what you are talking about.

I also think that South Korea is far more similar than Taiwan. I can't believe that Barker goes on the fact that the Taiwanese GET ALONG BETTER to prove his point. My god, what a moron.

Now I'll be the first to admit that the Japanese and South Koreans are very different. But it is still the country that is the most similar.

Examples:

Dramas and Pop Music have crossed over between the two countries, including joint projects.

The language

The food

The look of the people, etc.

Structure of the educational systems, large conglomerate companies, politics, etc.

The LDP in Japan is very corrupt as is the government in Korea. Little difference there.

Yes the two are very different. I'd liken the difference to that of the Germans and the Polish. The polish are also very different from the germans. But they are also quite similar (in some ways).

that said, the japanese and koreans ARE very different, IMO.

I don't need your lecture on warfare.

btw I was emphasizing what I meant.



Alright, I'll play your little game.

I never said that warfare and invading is right, but, it was legitament practice at the time to settle disputes and gain benefits. Every nation and group has been has been doing this since the dawn-of-time. And since japan lost world war 2, they lost the right to keep korea. Even now, America and Britain and many other nations are still going to war, and could do whatever they want with countries (like iraq and afghanistan) they took over by force. Thats because its a legitament practice.

I think its fair that korea is free from japanese rule, many korean insurgents fought and died to make their country free (sort of).

I find that flashy Korean comment a little offensive. What does that have to do with competition? First off, I consider being competitive to be very good. It brings out the best in you. If the Japanese aren't competitive, bad for them.

Secondly, some Koreans may have an inclination to display their wealth, though a good many don't. Much of that is due to the fact that they've developed so rapidly. Though many, in fact, are extremely conservative. Being preoccupied by outward appearance and status is an asian trait, which I don't think has eluded the Japanese. They've been wealthy for so long that they have a better chance at hiding it.

And Korean not thrifty! That's the most foolish comment I've ever heard. They have the highest savings rate in asia.

Barker you seem to excel in generalizations and making unsupported comments.

LOL.....I have to agree with you totally on that note :-D

Not really, for the most part, KMT is responsible for Taiwan being what it is today.

Considering now that Taiwan is practically persecuting its own citizens who don't happen to be full 'Taiwanese', yeah, they're doing great. ^^

Girls speaking Taiwanese is the most annoying $hit on earth. But they're cute, and Taiwanese education is among the best in the world, so you can't call'em stupid at least~ ^^

We'll see what mainland China does about bombing them -.-;;