preface

On November 16, at Shanghai Pudong Airport, the newlyweds pushed their suitcases, their faces filled with longing for their honeymoon.

Just a few days ago, Sanae Takaichi said, "If there is something in Taiwan, there is something in Japan", pushing Sino-Japanese relations into a freezing point.

On the one hand, there is the cold reality of national hatred and family hatred, and on the other hand, there is an eager rush for personal happiness, why is this dazzling contrast being staged?

Editor: Ah Bing

Bayonet on a honeymoon

"Husband, look at how beautiful the cherry blossoms are over there, take a picture of me!" A newlywed wife in front of Sensoji Temple in Japan, excitedly commanding her husband, the kimono behind her is brightly colored, this warm scene, if placed in ordinary times, will be a scene of praise in the circle of friends, but now, it is like a thorn in the heart.

Because just a few days ago, Japanese politician Sanae Takaichi openly shouted that "if there is something in Taiwan, there is something in Japan", challenging our bottom line, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a safety reminder for the first time, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism directly suggested "avoiding going in the near future", and the free refund channel of airlines has also opened the door.

However, the good intentions of these countries seem to have not been able to stop some people from going, and the data shows that in the first three quarters of this year, the total number of Chinese tourists to Japan was as high as 7.49 million, and the total consumption was even more amazing, and among these tourists, independent travel accounted for more than 90%.

The reasons they gave were surprisingly consistent: the money was spent, and if it didn't go, it would be wasted, and this seemingly shrewd "economic account" was actually a kind of "sunk cost" psychology behind it, making people irrational in the face of losses, but is this really just a personal choice? When you swipe your card in a duty-free shop, have you ever wondered where the money will end up? Don't we even have this backbone?

Black humor that feeds jackals

This is a "closed loop of black humor" that makes people feel chills in their backs, every money you spend in Japan, whether it is buying cosmetics, staying in a hotel or tasting food, will eventually be remitted to the Japanese government's treasury in the form of taxes, and what is this money becoming?

Japanese officials have clearly stated that it is necessary to increase defense spending to about 2% of GDP and enter the fast lane of "military expenditure expansion". A large part of it comes from fiscal revenue, including tourism, and in the first three quarters of this year, Chinese tourists left 6.9 trillion yen in Japan.

This huge amount is almost equivalent to 15% of Japan's annual defense budget, what is the concept of 15%? It means that for every 100 yuan we spend, 15 yuan may be being used to make more advanced weapons and target ourselves, which is no longer black humor, this is feeding the jackals!

Some people may say that this is a confusion of economics and politics, and the Supreme Gang is online, but former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama scolded Sanae Takaichi as a "dog" and bites people, isn't that the most sidly act?

"Best group performance" under the camera

What is even more humiliating is that our "enthusiasm" is being used as a tool for political propaganda by the other party, and Japanese TV especially likes to go to the airport or popular attractions at this juncture, and the picture they need is very simple, that is, while broadcasting the severe warning issued by the Chinese government.

While cutting the camera to the bustling Chinese tour guide flag of Sensoji Temple and the Chinese tourists taking pictures in kimonos, the collage of these two sets of pictures is itself the most powerful mockery, which will be interpreted in their public opinion field as: "You see, no matter what the Chinese officials say, their people don't buy it at all." ”

You think you are just a shrewd consumer who wants to recover the hotel's losses, but in the external spotlight, you have become the "best group performer" to prove that the other party is "still charming" and even "fearless".

In 2024, there will be a number of vicious incidents against Chinese in Japan, and smashing and robbery will occur from time to time, which is not an isolated case, and the fluke mentality of "as long as you don't go to politically sensitive places" is just a kind of self-deceptive gambling.

When you walk into the real Japanese society that cannot be captured by the Vlog lens, the graininess of the rejection of foreign races in the air is actually very strange, do we want to become the "minions" of others, at the mercy of others, and still enjoy ourselves?

Our only backing

What should we do in the face of such a complex situation? First of all, it must be clearly recognized that in the deeply interconnected international system, no individual behavior can be separated from its political attributes, and every consumption you make is voting for the world you want to see, South Korea after the "THAAD" incident.

Chinese tourists and businessmen have suffered similar treatment locally, and the lessons of history are not far away, and then look at the wave of boycott of "Made in China" within American society during the Sino-US trade war, in contrast, how ironic some of our behaviors are, some studies have pointed out that the long-term negative impact of such "controversial tourism" on the image of the target country can reach 5-8 years, far exceeding the short-term economic benefits.

This means that the money we save "shrewdly" today may need to be repaid twice in the future, even at the cost of national dignity and security, and in the final analysis, we must establish a fundamental understanding: the country is our only backing, and only when the country is secure can we be truly safe.

When the state issues the highest level of warning to protect us, the most correct thing to do is not to exploit the loopholes in the camp rules, but to choose to stand with the country, put the national interests first, obey the arrangements, and not cause chaos to the country.

epilogue

Every seemingly insignificant consumption is a vote for the future, determining the fate of us and future generations.

The future game of great powers will be a contest of national cognition and will, and the awakening of consumer behavior will be the first battle.

When personal freedom meets national security, where will you choose to stand? The comment area is waiting for your answer.