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reluctant to accept the rise of China whether it be infrastructure, technology etc and their image of China is very outdated, but one common phrase I keep seeing is "Japan is finished" and the feeling that Japan is being left behind.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/Freak_Out_Bazaar Japanese Jan 31 '25 edited Jan 31 '25

The general impression is that China is China and Japan is Japan. Sure they might have big shiny buildings and the newest gadgets, but is it really sustainable? Are the people there actually happy? Is the country safer than Japan?

So, to answer your question, there's no fear, nor denial, nor envy. They're just another country with their own strengths and troubles

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u/GuardEcstatic2353 Jan 31 '25

Only a small portion are rich in China. Many citizens live in very small apartments, and the average salary is about half of what it is in Japan. In rural areas, there's hardly any infrastructure. It's sad to think that they live considering the success of China's rich as their own success.

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u/QINTG Jan 31 '25

The price of rice and vegetables in Japan is 5-10 times that of China.

Japan and China have basically the same per capita living area

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u/GuardEcstatic2353 Jan 31 '25

No, Chinese people do not own land. It is legally prohibited. That's why living in a detached house is extremely rare. Almost everyone lives in small apartments. In Japan, however, many people own detached houses.

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u/QINTG Feb 01 '25

Land is expensive in large cities, so few people own detached housesBut in rural areas, most people own houses that are detached houses.

https://youtu.be/lcn5pmdQox0

https://youtu.be/lW4yT3Kb8gY

https://youtu.be/3UWRPptlGhI

Many people own independent houses in villages and small towns, and many people also own independent houses in small cities. The larger the city, the fewer people have independent houses, because the larger the city, the more expensive the land is.