Japan

Your article (“Japan’s Conciliatory Policy Toward Myanmar Is Red Flag for Washington,” Jan. 8) demonstrates that Japan has not yet learned to be a leading power in the civilized world. Among industrialized nations, Japan stands out in coddling the totalitarian Beijing regime, even after the 1989 massacre at Tian An Men Square, which has led some political scientists to make the observation that Japan does not want to see a democratic, free and strong China, as it will be against Japan’s own economic interest.

Japanese politics are still dominated by old-timers who feel perfectly at ease with double-dealing and furtiveness. It is up to the younger generations and the Japanese media to change that. But until that happens, until Japan stands up for universal human rights and the values of freedom and democracy, there is no way that Japan can change its own image as an economic giant but a political dwarf.

YANG YE

Assistant Professor of Asian Studies

UC Riverside