Asian Studies

Japan and China have always been an integral part of East Asian and global networks of flows of people and goods, cultural interactions and political interconnections. Their involvements in the global networks evidenced in their history, and their diverse cultural traditions, social values, political institutions, and economic practices have significantly shaped the ways in which Japan and China became the todays regional and global powers. (Shirokauer 2006, p. 8) In this paper, the author has reproduced talks on this as he address the local chamber of commerce. This paper has analyzed the cultures and history of Japan and China the two major civilizations in East Asia in the context of regionalization and globalization from the prehistoric are to date. Special emphasis is given to China because of its profound influence especially during the early formation of region on the social and cultural development and continuity of other East Asian societies, as well as its contemporary rise to the global power. Moreover, the paper will identify the various ways in which Japan and China struggled to have modernized and define their identities as well as the East Asias meanings in the global cultures, politics and economy.
 
The birth of Chinese civilization dates seven to eight thousands years ago as indicated by the  ruins of  the Majiapang culture in Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces, Daxi culture in Hubei and Sichuan provinces,  the Yangshou culture along the Yellow river and the Hemudu culture in eastern Zhejiang. Civilization in China is presented in a mysterious and long history. Just like other cultures, the culture of China can be traced back to a legend of small tribes that are considered to be the origin, and which have expanded to be the todays great country. The civilization was characterized by Yoanmou man as the oldest hominoid and Xia s the oldest dynasty but throughout the civilization period other eminent people such emperor Li Shimin, philosopher Confucius and patriots like Qu Yuan, and dynasties such as Qin and Han emerged and contributed. The Chinese society progressed to the today China through five stages  primitive society, feudal society, slave society, socialist society and semi-feudal and semi-colonial society.

Rise and fall of the great Chinese Dynasties run throughout the Chinese history. Tang dynasty was founded in 618 and end in 907 is considered as the most glistening period in the Chinese history as the country became the most prosperous and powerful country in the world as evidenced by the unparalleled advancements in culture, politics, economics and military strength of the time. The Song Dynasty started in 960 up to 1279, and it involved the Southern and Northern Song Dynasty.  In the Chinese history, the Song Dynasty is considered as a golden age and the maturity of Chinese due to the radiant culture and prosperous economy that was evident during this period. Moreover,  the productive technology in agriculture was improved hence promoting the food output the handcraft technology in handicraft industry advanced   following the detailed division of labor the commodity economy developed, culture and science develop,   outstanding number of poets and scholars emerged and  established the splendid cultural atmosphere. The significant of all prosperities was the earliest paper currency that appeared for the first time, and the invention of the compass and typography.

12th century was marked by growth of Mongolian ethnic group whose leaders unified the internal tribes with subsequent Mongolian empire and rule such that entire China was unified by 1276. This took place during the Yuan Dynasty and in the late period of the dynasty,     Hongjinjun emerged which was considered as the peasants uprising such that the Ming Dynasty that followed was founded after several battles. However, after its foundation a series of   policies were implemented to reduce what was considered as the peasants burden and to restore the   production of the society. In the same period much attention focused on the prevention of corruption among court officials and punishment. The Chinese society became a socialist society in 1949 and since then it has continued to be stronger and stronger.

Opium War in China started in 1800 and was characterized by British East Indian Company that was involved with maritime trade of goods such as furniture. The British   government profited as a result of the high tariffs. The Chinese trade system was not based on trade, rather was based on the Chinese perceptions and diplomacy encouraged trade hence establishing political and diplomatic relations. However between 1800 and 1830 there was dynastic decline, natural disasters, peasant rebellions, invasions from the north and corruption

Japan
The court families ruled in Japan, and warrior knights served the Lords by protecting their land. The Most powerful warriors were given the title Shogun. Although history gives an account of emperors in Japan, they were better known as religious figures than rulers. The court families struggled and to some extent even battled in order to control the Japanese Islands. History reveals the Fujiwara family as one of the most powerful court family that ever ruled Japan.  
The period between 12th and 19th centuries is a significant period in the Japanese history as it was involved with feudalism as a result of the Samurai movement. Actually, the rule of feudal Japan by warlords and regional clans and families created a culture that decreased the power of emperors. Moreover, the same culture caused indifference in the ruling class.  For a clear understanding of the impact of feudalism in the Japanese civilization, it is important to consider feudalism with regard to the periods that are named for the ruling court family or warlords.

Kamakura period that began in 1192 was the first period of feudalism in the Japanese history. During this time of the Kamakura Shogunates reign, the Mongols invaded Japan but the Japanese successfully repelled the invaders. Furthermore, the Mongol invasion caused problems   that led to the demise of the reign of the Kamakura Shogunate in 1333.  The end of the Kamakura period marked the start of the Japanese Middle Ages that lasted up to the Muromanchi period. In 1542, and the later years of this period a Japanese ship ran on the Japans shores carrying firearms leading to introduction of firearm technology in Japan. Throughout the Japanese history, the technology is considered as the power that facilitated civilization of the society as it gave way for traders from European countries such as Portugal into Japan. Moreover, Christianity found its way into the Japanese society during this period. (Shirokauer 2006, p.12)
Azuchi-Momoyama Period was the second period of feudalism in Japan. It lasted for a short time from 1568 to 1600, and was characterized by reunification of the ruling parties and military with a common goal of attacking and defeating China. However, the united effort did not succeed as they were repelled from the China back to the Islands. This led to break-up of the unity and the subsequent new period.

The Edo period was the last period of the feudalism, it lasted between 1800 and 1868, and is considered as the most important part of the entire Japanese timeline as in most of the   artistic developments of Japan occurred during this time. Moreover, the Samurai came in the forefront of the politics and culture at this period.  It was the last period of Shogunate reign in the feudal age in Japan.

The Second World War inn Asia that was characterized by murders and rapes something which left many civilians murdered and women raped by the Imperial Japanese Army soldiers. The massacre is considered as a contentious political issue as some who perpetrated the massacres as well as the suspects have been disputed by Japanese nationalists and historical revisionists claiming that the massacre was fabricated or exaggerated and therefore denying that it actually happened. The efforts of the nationalists to rationalize or deny the war crimes resulted into a controversy about the massacre and this limits Japan from relating with other Asia-Pacific nations as well the Sino-Japanese relations.

It is evident therefore that, for centuries China and Japan interactions dates very far back. The relationship has been shaped by historical events affecting both countries as well as the cultural interactions that occurred. The flow of trade, political activities, as well as the peoples values all have overtime played a very important role in determining the current economic, social and political present day environment for both countries as we know today.