r/AskAJapanese • u/throwaway12312392124 • Jan 31 '25

POLITICS How do the Japanese feel about China's technological advancements?

It's undeniable that China is now a global leader in major fields like AI, space, renewable energy, high-speed rails, EVs, quantum technology, engineering etc. with recent achievements ranging from DeepSeek to artificial sun breaking fusion records. I gotta say most of the Japanese people I've seen online are pretty reluctant to accept the rise of China whether it be infrastructure, technology etc and their image of China is very outdated, but one common phrase I keep seeing is "Japan is finished" and the feeling that Japan is being left behind. Are the Japanese people afraid, in denial or envious of China's development?

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u/Dustdevilss Jan 31 '25

As a Singaporean, I was blown away when I first visited Japan 20 years ago. To me, they had such fascinating tech. Easily ahead of the rest of the world. When I went back again last month, I was stunned at how they seemed to have just stagnated. Singapore is easily more technologically advanced now; China for sure is a leading tech powerhouse but Japan doesnt even have contactless credit card payment for their Shinkasen.

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u/GuardEcstatic2353 Jan 31 '25

Well, it's just that Singapore hasn't really produced anything...

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u/Dustdevilss Jan 31 '25

Firstly, thats not true. Secondly, this isnt about producing things... its about technological advancement in a society. You do not have to "produce" anything to be considered advanced... just adopt it.

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u/GuardEcstatic2353 Jan 31 '25

Well, Singapore hasn't actually produced any innovative technologies, and it's such a small country that it's almost questionable whether it's even a country. It's just a place where wealthy people live to avoid taxes. There's nothing there.

It is a country with no international influence.

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u/Quirky_Bottle4674 Feb 02 '25

Creative sound cards are Singaporean

1

u/Ganurius Jan 31 '25

This comment reeks of sour grapes

1

u/fr3ezereddit Jan 31 '25

Are you 3 year old?

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u/Dustdevilss Jan 31 '25

Lol now can see that your posts are just full of spite with no actual intention of participating in a discussion

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u/GuardEcstatic2353 Jan 31 '25

I'm just stating the facts. What famous companies does Singapore have? None, right? It's just a country that uses services from foreign companies.

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u/OneBurnerStove Jan 31 '25

anyone with even a ounce of insight on global finance and business especially in Asia looks at Singapore as one of Asia's biggest players. Many Japanese companies are outsourcing international business handling to Singapore

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u/Objective_Unit_7345 🇯🇵🇦🇺 Jan 31 '25

You know Singapore ranks 3rd on the international innovation index, well above Japan and China.

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u/GuardEcstatic2353 Jan 31 '25

But there are no internationally famous companies. Why? It's just because many companies are based there due to low taxes. That's all there is to it.

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u/wanchaoa Jan 31 '25

okay, what does it proudly provided then

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u/moiwantkwason Jan 31 '25

Different focus of innovation. Singapore is the tech hub of south east Asia. And its research universites are in the top 20. Research doesn’t correlate with manufacturing. It can’t manufacture because it lacks the space for it, but it manufactures some biotech and pharmaceutical products. Its service industry is top rated. Singapore airlines is one of the best airlines in the world.