"I believe in angels,
the kind that heaven sends.
I'm surrounded by angels,
but I call them my best friends."
Monday, March 24, 2008 / 20:31
The economic issues it faced were the main reason for Japan’s entry into the Pacific War. Do you agree? Explain your answer.
I agree. The economic issue faced by Japan was the most important factor that led to war in the pacific. Japan was a rapidly growing country with a lack of resources and land. As Japan was mostly mountainous, they needed farmland to grow food as they have a shortage of food. They are also in need of resources such as coal and iron as these are the basics that a country needs in order to function. Since they have a lack of resources, Japan was forced to import luxury goods. This was unsuccessful as Japan suffered a lot when America, its primary importer, was struck by the Great Depression in 1929 and Japan had to close down many of its factories and many peasants was reduced to poverty. Japan’s solution was to adopt aggressive opportunism, in which they would take whatever they could, whenever they could. They conquered Manchuria as she was rich in coal and iron and had land for agriculture. She set up yen blocs in countries such as Korea, Taiwan and Manchuria, where the countries traded with Japan at Japan’s advantage and their disadvantage. This was the first step leading to war.
Another factor that led to war was the fear of western colonisation. Japan did not want to be a colony; rather she had aimed to be a viable world power. Japan was anti-western as they felt that the Western powers see them as inferior. Furthermore, in the Washington Conference, the western powers had refused to include anti-racism elements in the covenant. The West also underestimated Japan, unable to see them as a self-sufficient nation. Also, Japan felt that the West was patronizing them when Japan’s naval tonnage was limited.
Another factor that led to war in the Pacific was militarism. Militarism had been popular among the Japanese as it was very anti-western and pro-German. Military leaders made political speeches promising Japanese a greater life and it really led to strong nationalistic feelings. Many politicians who were too pro-western were assassinated. The annexation of countries such as Manchuria and parts of China was greatly supported by the people.
I still believe that the economic security of Japan played a primary role in the lead-up to war as the protectionism policies of other countries had really been disadvantageous to Japan. By conquering large parts of China, Indochina and Asia, Japan hoped to achieve economic security by setting up ‘yen blocs’ in these areas. She believed that ‘Asians are for Asians’ and her aim was to expand her territories beyond her shores to Southeast Asia.
Even though militarism played a part in the sense that the governments that tried to expand by means of diplomacy were overthrown by the people. Economic security is the most important factor without a stable economy, Japan’s would have been faced with massive problems. That is why I believed that the economic issues faced by Japan was the reason for its entry in the Pacific war.
Saturday, March 1, 2008 / 18:15
There was a sort of old-fashioned charm to the shop. It was oddly picturesque, with its interior decoration heavily influenced by Turkish culture. The lights were partially covered with blue cellophane paper, masking the place with a kind of blue hue, reminding me of twinkling stars at midnight.
The exotic, quaint, little shop was called Alaturka. It is a Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant offering food so tantalizingly delicious that you would keep on coming back. Turkish food is alluring to the different races as the taste is very accommodating. It is never too spicy or too bland. The diversity of the food caters to all types of eaters, from vegans to meat enthusiasts.
In my last food review, I commented on the Turkish appetizer Hummus. This time I have tried something new. It is called the Firin Sutlac and it is a popular Turkish dessert. Firin Sutlac is a version of rice pudding, cooked with cream, sugar, rose water and orange and vanilla essence. Compared to the normal rice pudding, Firin Sutlac differs in the sense that it is more rich and sweet. Firin Sutlac has a smooth, creamy texture and a slight vanilla taste to it. The presence of the rice grains is cloaked by the buttery feel of the pudding. Firin Sutlac is an acquired taste, though. The first bite might make you cringe as you taste the sweetness, but the more bites you take, the more delicious it gets.
To all sweet tooth eaters, Firin Sutlac is a must!
Like An Angel
Fatimah Abdul Salam
Kent Ridge Secondary
Class Blog
WANTS
*indians to rule the world...heh:)
*to get a distinction for El
*to be Miss India 2009!!
