China V Japan: A brief history of conflicts and how it affects trade

Today, we're going to have a little history lesson. In the last few weeks, I've reviewed extensive articles about China as they are a great topic to discuss international business for my classes. However, one of the assignments we had was to review the history between China and Japan to analyze their current trade relations. Now, I don't know about you, but I really had no idea about the difficulties and even animosity sometimes displayed between the two. Guys, it's there and it's a bid deal.

If you know your international politics and history, feel free to go make a latte. If you're like me and didn't have a clue, let me give you a very brief overview of the framework. In a nutshell, Japan was a dick during WWII and China remembers, especially since Japan keeps bringing it up in the most insensitive ways possible. Add to that they are still fighting over islands, trade restrictions and whatnot and you have some very unhappy campers. So here is your PSA because I'm willing to bet that other people are just as clueless as I was.

China furious as Japan reopens war wounds - click for article

It is sometimes hard to see anything but the problem directly in front of your eyes. However, many are reminded, sometimes at the worst possible moment, that the past is never dead. The repercussions of history still have a hold on relations between people long after they are done. Such is the case between Japan and China. World War II marked a period of aggression between the countries that is still affecting political relations as history is being interpreted through modern times in regards to the past.

During World War II, Japan occupied parts of China. While there, they murdered thousands of people and some were buried in mass graves. The Chinese built memorials on these spots to commemorate and honor their dead whilst remembering the atrocities committed during the great war. Some refer to it as the War of Japanese Aggression, much like the war of northern aggression in the US referring to the Civil War. The specter of WWII still hangs over the relations of China and Japan despite the time that has passed. Many in Japan are torn on their views of the war. While some believe that Japan is still militaristic in their views, others believe that Japanese youth are raised to view their society in a negative light. Growing up and being told that you are responsible for the past is a heavy burden to bear. You may be more familiar with the German struggle, as was I, where many don't feel responsible for the past but yet they carry it on their shoulders and in their society. This puts the younger generation is a tough spot.

Alternately, the Chinese are dealing with being the “losers” of history. With Japan being a large partner of Western countries, much of their involvement in the war is lost to Western societies, many of whom may not have been aware of the extent of the dealings between the two countries. Decades later, many Chinese have come to terms with history, but many others are reluctant to entirely forget. This point was resurrected again with the implementation of new textbooks in Japan. The part of Japan was greatly downplayed in regards to participation in the war, and many Chinese take great offense. They have no control over these textbooks and are looking at the beginnings of a generation that will never know the full extent of the Chinese casualties and the lasting impression it made on their society. This is certainly not the first time that history has been written by the victors and the Chinese are another in a long line of forgotten victims in history.

How does this rift affect them now? In both cases, most would agree that another war is unthinkable as would be discontinuing trade. Neighbors in such close proximity help to boost each other’s economies as Japan has profited from China’s extreme rise during their decade long recession. Nevertheless, trade between the two countries could be as difficult as political relations have been. There have been a number of incidents between the two trade partners over the years. With China at such an advantage as far as the economy, Japan is in an awkward position. China is one of their main export partners, more than tripling in trade since 2000, and any trade disagreements hurt their economy. In addition to these historical challenges, China and Japan also have geographical and elemental rights disputes to contest with. Finding some common ground seems to be one way to start moving in the right direction.

In this video, they discussed a textbook that combined the history of three major Asian countries into one cohesive unit. As they said, it is not the history of one country but of all of them that is what really happened. I think being more aware of the impact to the region as a whole and trying to navigate these sensitivities is a step towards working together. Businesses are nothing more than a group of people with a common goal and economic interest. It is important to play to the human aspect of that in regards to these political and historical incidents. However, business also has the advantage of having a common goal for both the Chinese and Japanese businesses on both ends: making money. With this common goal, they have more incentive to work together favorably to achieve mutual satisfaction. This also opens the door to relating to each other on other levels. By utilizing this advantage, firms can start to overcome these issues on an isolated basis until their respective governments can move towards mending them on a larger scale. Or one would like to think.

China And Japan Are On The Brink Of War; Beginnings of WWIII? - Click for article.

Not only are there problems on a larger scale between politicians and larger businesses, but on the consumer level as well. If you read this article, you will see that consumers are also taking a stance and in some cases boycotting products (here over geographical rights). This hurts businesses, relations, and ultimately the economies in both countries. I don't think holding hands and singing is likely, so these problems will probably need to start from the top. As history has shown us around the globe, governments are not great at getting over themselves and learning how to work together.

I feel that there is still a lot of rocky ground to cover before any kind of solutions are attempted. But what do you think? Do you have additional insight into trade or historical relations that you'd like to pitch in? Have an opinion? Let me know down in the comments and be sure to send this to anyone who either needs a shot of international know-how or who actually knows what's going on and would like to contribute.

Amy's Baking Company - A Study of the id

According to Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory of personality, the id is the personality component made up of unconscious psychic energy that works to satisfy basic urges, needs, and desires. The id operates based on the pleasure principle, which demands immediate gratification of needs. When we are unable to immediately satisfy a need, tension results. The id relies on the primary process to temporarily relieve the tension ... creating a mental image either through daydreaming, fantasizing, hallucinating, or some other process. Source

I am a firm believer that we all need our fantasies. They protect us and give us something to focus on when real life is too painful. But there is a natural stopping point to where this becomes destructive. I think that line may be hazy and different for everyone, but you will reach it nonetheless. Or you will plunge over that line into batshit crazy.

I am NEVER in the loop with things, but I happened to catch the edge of something viral on a blog that I frequent. If you haven't heard of the horrific Amy's Baking Company episode of Kitchen Nightmares then click here. For your own safety, I recommend only watching the first 8 minutes or so. I was emotionally stressed out while watching, but couldn't look away. Once I was finally done with the episode, I literally had to take a walk to calm down. Naturally, I ended up digging for more dirt because, you know, Americans do that.

The things I found were awful. Some people are just awful.

Now, this particular delusion had a good starting point. The restaurant was clean and attractive with a good-looking signage. But there was terror hidden in the wings. While I admire Samy's extreme devotion to his wife, some bitches be crazy. And while we have all deluded ourselves at some point - I'm still not sure life in general is not a delusion - some things are beyond the pale.

I wish that I had enough knowledge of psychology to give a good theory on why this happened (case in point, 90% of what I know about the id is from an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), or give management or business tips that weren't obvious. Instead, I want to use this as a yard stick. On those days where the world really seems to be against you, when you feel like the worst version of yourself, when one of your fantasies comes crashing into your reality, just remember this: if you are not these people, you are still okay.

Humans are not all good or all evil. We are not all sane or insane. We are a muddy mess of all these things. But if you can rise above ABC Bakery levels of crazy, then your day is already better than you think.

Pump Up Your Cross-Media Strategies Conference Recap

I had the pleasure of attending a conference recently about ways to increase your marketing capabilities using new and existing tools, as well as some great business advice in general. Conferences don't always hit the mark, but I love attending since there is always something to learn. This one in particular was worth-while though. I wanted to post a bit of a recap because I think our presenters really nailed it and it's a way for me to reference them in the future. 

Photo Source

Dave Yunghans, Constant Contact

Dave was our opening presenter. I'd met other business people who were impressed with his knowledge and personality, and now I can see why. Dave is incredibly personable. The largest takeaway was that over 90% of all the billions of e-mails that people send out through Constant Contact a day are done wrong. I've said before that people are buying more than ever but none of us want to be sold. However, that's exactly what most businesses are doing. If every e-mail you send it a pitch, no one will read them. 

Dave's number one piece of advice is that these communications are the start of a conversation. The way to open up that line of communication is to present free, relevant information. Once you become the expert on something, people will remember and come back. Once they're in a position to need your services, then they already know you and bam! 

Donna Serdula, LinkedIn-Makeover

Two years ago, I started a Linked-In page at the suggestion of someone I met at a networking event. I knew I would be looking for a job after my internship and thought it would be a good idea. Fast forward a year later and I am on Linked-In usually once a week. My profile is has been at "all-star" status for a long time. I found that Linked-In was a great way to keep in contact with fellow professionals and clients. 

Despite the fact that I have learned a lot of tricks along the way, Donna's advice could help anyone. Things like you profile is not your resume is a big one to remember. She also encourages having a professional headshot and engaging tagline, as well as gives advice on how to use your connections to gain clients or business. Her website also has more great tips to help you build your best profile and make it work for you. 

Bob Kanoff, Mobile QR Solutions

Mobile websites are something that I am aware of, but very disconnected from. Since I still have an ancient flip-phone, I tend to not pay attention to such things. However, it seems like everyone has a smart phone now that is capable of so much more than making calls. Mobile sites are quickly becoming necessary since most people will immediately navigate away from your business page if it is too hard to read on their screen. 

If you run a business, this can kill you - especially if you are losing sales because they can't or won't buy from their phone. The more prominent this issue is, the easier it's becoming to fix it. There are a million websites out there now that help you see what your customers are seeing and free or low-cost ways to reel them back in with a new look. In addition, many companies can assist you with a fully integrated mobile design.

Thanh Nguyen, The Standard Group

Hey smartphone users, ready for another one? QR Codes. I've just become aware of what these things really are in the last year, but I'm starting to see that the possibilities are endless. QR codes are not just limited to the simple box format I'm used to seeing. Since most apps can read the codes even with some interference, that means that you can use different shapes, colors, or even put your own logo into it. Not to mention that there are new ways to track scans and help lead people to the actual content you want them to see. The key with QR codes though is to give people something special. If you place your code next to your website, don't direct your QR code to the website main page. There would be no purpose. Instead, direct them deeper into your content, get them a free download, or lead them to a video. Keep people engaged and they will come back. 

Dean Frey, The LIFE Company

It's so easy to get caught up in life and only view the world in one way. I think it's part of human nature, especially when learning can be seen as unpleasant, that you want to keep your head down and plow through. However, you can miss some of the best things in life. Balance is a huge part of maintaining your life and motivation long-term. In addition, retraining ourselves to look at all things as connected can teach us things we would have never known to look for. 


This conference was organized by Chuck and Alice at KeyConnections4Me. I've been to several of their seminars and have always walked away with great new information. If you are in their region, go check them out. You won't be sorry.