As China expands its influence through economic power, political pressure, and military strength, nations around the world—including smaller Asian countries—are beginning to recognize the risks. This essay examines China’s growing reach and questions Japan’s lack of awareness.

However, countries around the world, including smaller Asian nations, are beginning to recognize such imperialistic arrogance on the part of China.
2018-01-18
In this week’s issue of Shukan Shincho, an article appears that supplements the previous chapter.
The author is a woman fitting for the 21st century and a woman Japan can proudly present to the world: Yoshiko Sakurai.
Upon reading this essay, I was once again convinced that she is truly a patriot worthy of the highest national honor.
Behind Chinese money lie countless casualties.
On January 8, Coming-of-Age Day, I was astonished by the news.
Of about 83,000 new adults in Tokyo’s 23 wards, more than 10,000—one in eight—were said to be foreigners.
The proportion of foreigners was particularly high in Shinjuku Ward at 46 percent, followed by Toshima at 38 percent, Nakano at 27 percent, Arakawa at 26 percent, and Taito at 26 percent.
No breakdown by nationality was given, but judging from the proportion among international students, many of these new adults are likely young people of Chinese nationality.
Even if Japan is a country open to the world, we must deeply consider the meaning of the reality that in some wards nearly half of new adults are foreigners.
Wherever Chinese people may be, they are under the guidance of the Chinese Communist Party.
What direction, then, is China heading toward?
On January 12, at a meeting of the Chinese Communist Party Politburo, it was confirmed that “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” would be written into China’s constitution.
It is the first time since Mao Zedong that the ideology of a sitting leader has been inscribed into the constitution.
Xi has elevated himself to a position of power comparable to Mao and aims for the Chinese nation to “stand tall among the nations of the world.”
The means are strong economic power and strong military power.
It provides enormous funds to poor countries—sums they cannot repay—and when repayment falters, it takes their land or ports.
When anti-China sentiment rises in those countries, it suppresses it with the power of money, or by mobilizing intellectuals and students, using political force.
It also applies military pressure.
However, countries around the world, including smaller Asian nations, are beginning to recognize such imperialistic arrogance on the part of China.
Is Japan not the least vigilant of them all?
In that sense, the following examples are ones the Japanese people should keep firmly in mind.