SESSION V
263
had heen shaken by the war to an extent not shared by any other contemporary country save possibly Germany, Thies was a nation which
prided itself on the fact that it had never been succcastully invaded,
had never lost a war. The Japanese had seen themselves as strong,
virile, and su on; whereas in the post-war years they had been con.
stantly groping toward some form of national identity,
Phe Peace
’ Treaty had, of course, been signed somewhat tess than three years
before the Lucky Dragon affair, but to the average Japanese the
change in Japan's status could hardly have been apparent. There
were still ae nviny foreign troops in lapan in £54 ae there had peabe
ably been at the height of the Occupation. [t was a staging area fcr
Korea, it willbe recalled, Most fapansese did not have theo tand
quite possibly still do not have) a strong and positive image of them.
selves aa a naticn, and more than one observer has feat that they
lack self-aseurance in their dealing with others. Ubelieve that same
of thes ia visible in Japan's foreign policy. Certainly ehr doee rat
play the role in foreign affaires today that she should in view of the
size of her population, her wealth, and industrial power,
Tapanis
still hiding behind the ekirts of the United States to a considerable
extent, This may be @ convenient atance, but itis hardly a worthy
one,
To try to put the remark: of the last ceveral minutes inte acme
focus we might ask ourselves what the reaction in France ear,
would have been to anevent such ae the reeect one in spain, Ane
would knowledge of the lapanese ard Spadieh reeponees ec uf much
help to ue in predicting those or the Brench, of would we have to
seck all of the answers inthe french and Breach culture
FREMONT-SMITH Right, Very nice statement becauee FE think
one of the things we arc weakest on te seeking anewers in cultures,
LANGHAM:
lL wholehearted!y agree with that,
that if this had happened not far away tno France,
Lam consinced
we would he on our
knees in front of de Gaulle, even right now. PE think what te found in
the culture as wil as the national philosopny of theee olacce te ime
portant, The Spamard is a person of great pride. [think probably
part of therr failure to make the progrese they desire is that they
can rely on this great pride and to so perhaps too much, Tf think
you'll find that Spain se changing and [think sou're going to find
Spain bidding once more to beccme sumebudy in the family of nations,
It's coming slowly but detinitely: they are progressing and tourtom
is one of their great commodities now, [t's ateclutely imposatble to
get touriat accumodations during the season in the vicinity of Madrid.