China vs. Japan

[Spark]

Pick

[Goldwater]

Japan, becasue that's where anime and video games come from.

[Santander]

Looking at history, China is the only acceptable choice here for me.

[RFayette]

Japan is just creepy in many respects, for lack of a better term.  I think I'd have to pick China, but I'd much prefer South Korea over both of those choices.

[Xing]

Japan by a mile. Don't get me wrong, Chinese culture is fascinating, and there are many historical sites in China which are must-sees. The Chinese government is despicable, though, and the sheer amount of pollution in the larger cities is unbearable. I've met plenty of friendly people from mainland China, but when it comes to mainland tourists... let's just say I keep my distance.

I'd say that Taiwan vs. Japan would be a more balanced match-up, but maybe I'm just biased.

[dead0man]

Japan, for the cars.

[SATW]

Japan, easily.

[President Johnson]

Japan, easily.

[TDAS04]

Japan, easily.

[Beet]

Japan: A country that distinguished itself for its fascism and mass murder, and attacking countries without a declaration of war. Currently in an endless economically depressed funk. Major achievements in the past decade include getting hit by a massive tsunami, allowing five nuclear reactors to melt down, and losing 5-2 to the U.S. in the women's world cup.

China: One of the big four allied powers of WWII, overcame the century of humiliation, liberated peasants and women, helped end the Cold War by switching sides to the U.S., achieved the largest and fastest poverty reduction in human history. Despite recent slowdown still has a dynamic economy. First non-Western country to have a higher GDP (by purchasing power) than any Western country since the industrial revolution. Through 30-year one child policy which prevented 300 million births, has contributed more to environmental conservation than any other nation. Also the world's oldest continuous civilization. Demerits: Suckiness of the current government.

[Santander]

Japan: A country that distinguished itself for its fascism and mass murder, and attacking countries without a declaration of war. Currently in an endless economically depressed funk. Major achievements in the past decade include getting hit by a massive tsunami, allowing five nuclear reactors to melt down, and losing 5-2 to the U.S. in the women's world cup.

China: One of the big four allied powers of WWII, overcame the century of humiliation, liberated peasants and women, helped end the Cold War by switching sides to the U.S., achieved the largest and fastest poverty reduction in human history. Despite recent slowdown still has a dynamic economy. First non-Western country to have a higher GDP (by purchasing power) than any Western country since the industrial revolution. Through 30-year one child policy which prevented 300 million births, has contributed more to environmental conservation than any other nation. Also the world's oldest continuous civilization. Demerits: Suckiness of the current government.

Holding up the illegitimate Communist/state capitalist regime in China as a force for good is utterly disgusting.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

angus is probably vacationing in China this year to see the family of mrs. angus, so I'll be interested in  his report on China 2016

[World politics is up Schmitt creek]

Japan.

Did Beet seriously just praise the one-child policy?

[Goldwater]

Japan.

Did Beet seriously just praise the one-child policy?

Sure, it's ethically questionable and massively restricts individual freedom, but environmentalism is far more important than those minor consereners.

[dead0man]

and if the PRC is known for anything, it's thinking of the environment first!

[Badger]

Japan: A country that distinguished itself for its fascism and mass murder, and attacking countries without a declaration of war. Currently in an endless economically depressed funk. Major achievements in the past decade include getting hit by a massive tsunami, allowing five nuclear reactors to melt down, and losing 5-2 to the U.S. in the women's world cup.

China: One of the big four allied powers of WWII, overcame the century of humiliation, liberated peasants and women, helped end the Cold War by switching sides to the U.S., achieved the largest and fastest poverty reduction in human history. Despite recent slowdown still has a dynamic economy. First non-Western country to have a higher GDP (by purchasing power) than any Western country since the industrial revolution. Through 30-year one child policy which prevented 300 million births, has contributed more to environmental conservation than any other nation. Also the world's oldest continuous civilization. Demerits: Suckiness of the current government.

Holding up the illegitimate Communist/state capitalist regime in China as a force for good is utterly disgusting.

It's not often I agree with Santander, but yeah.

Thus, Japan. By a million.

[ingemann]

Autocracy with vast problem with human right, freedom of the press and agressive foreign policy versus a pluralistic democracy. Well that's a really hard choice.

[politicallefty]

Japan, easily. I love the culture, the food, and the language and the just the country as a whole. I've always been fascinated by Japan and Japanese culture. I'm not sure I'd want to live in Japan permanently, but I would definitely like to live there for a few months or so to get a good experience.

[jaichind]

Japan by a mile. Don't get me wrong, Chinese culture is fascinating, and there are many historical sites in China which are must-sees. The Chinese government is despicable, though, and the sheer amount of pollution in the larger cities is unbearable. I've met plenty of friendly people from mainland China, but when it comes to mainland tourists... let's just say I keep my distance.

I'd say that Taiwan vs. Japan would be a more balanced match-up, but maybe I'm just biased.

China.  Especially for me ROC is the real China.  The PRC regime, as much as I back them on an issue by issue basis, are a bunch of illegitimate interlopers.   I am actually fairly pro-Japan within the Chinese political context but between the two I have to go with China.

[Human]

Japan, easily.