Senkakus, Japan public rattled

I am still thinking through this months East China Sea issue. But for the time being some observations on Japanese public's view on the issue.

It is no longer just the usual right-wing hacks which are calling China a threat and demanding a more robust response to China’s rise, but now also the main stream which is moving into an anti-China mood.

Newspapers: The left of center Asahi Newspaper run nearly five pages of its Saturday issue with the focus on Japan’s failure to stand up to China. Yomiuri has been averaging about the same of the last week, although less hawkish that than Asahi.

TV: The popular movie director Beat Takeshi joined the chorus on Newscaster on Saturday 25th, leading discussion on China as threat together with his guests. Newscaster probably matters more for public opinion than NHK in certain sections of the less educated in Japan. Interviews with Japanese reveal that most are unhappy with their government's handling, and would prefer an more robust response in the future. Statements of fear and anxiety towards China also are shown from everyday Japanese.

Street-level observations: At train stations and on the Shinkansen, electronic billboards flash the latest news about the Senkaku islands and people stop to look and voice concerns.

Official: Official results of Japan’s public sentiment towards major countries is due out in December and no major media have yet conducted an emergency poll. (still looking).

The results of a (highly unscientific) poll conducted in China on Sino-Japanese relations which revealled 93% of Chinese think the tension will be long term is being reported as news. A feed-back loop of 'they hate us, so we can not trust them' is starting up in japanese media.