Japan and U.S. Former Enemies
Enemies yesterday. Friends today.
Today, Japan and America are thick as thieves through the G7 countries’ fraternity. China is the bad guy now, but Beijing and Washington were friends, mates, buddies, chums, BFF, or homeboys, in the 1930’s.
Why was America and China chummy chummy during WW2? They both did not like Japan one bit. Japan, an island, occupied some parts of China with cruelty Chinese filmmakers mention in films like Red Sorghum, directed by Zhang Yimou.
Japan occupied China | In the 1930’s |
Japan joins Germany and Italy to fight against British allies. | 24 September 1940 |
Japan attacks U.S. ships in Pearl Harbour, Hawaii. | 7 December 1941 |
America declares war on Japan. | 8 December 1941 |
President Truman drops atom bomb on Hiroshima, in Japan. | 6 August 1945 |
Fast forward to 2021. The fall-out between China and America is obvious, economic power. China is the biggest capitalist in the world. That’s why everything Americans have at home is made in China: cars, phones, computers, washing machines, microwave ovens, carpets, floor tiles, all toys, men’s suits, women’s designer handbags, food, beds and sheets, you name it.
It is easy to point a finger at China, but it’s the nature of capitalism that put American factories out of business. Capitalism is using, let’s say a capital of $20,000 to make a million dollars profit.
American workers were unionized, they knew their rights. Industry was not prepared to pay reasonable wages, so they left and went to China, where labour costs are not in dollars and pounds.
Therefore, the America-China rivalry should be seen in that context. It is American and British capitalism biting the dog that feeds them. Ask British and American fashion designers where they make their clothes, in China.
This is another ‘written podcast’ by Nonqaba waka Msimang.
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