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2010 Asia and Africa today

 

JAPAN: WILL THE HISTORIC U-TURN COME?

JAPAN AS IT IS SEEN BY THE CHINESE SCHOLARS by A. V. Semin. PhD (Political Science)
Keywords: Japan, China, foreign policy, society, nationalistic conservatism
Trends in political and economic development of Japan are the subject of intent scrutiny of Chinese scholars. The most serious studies are devoted to analysis of Japanese national and diplomatic strategy, internal and external policy, social and economic situation. Particular important are the works fulfilled by the specialists of the Institute of Japan of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
In 2009, Chinese scientists have prepared the report on the prospects of Chinese-Japanese relations during the second decade of the XXI c. One section of the report is titled
«Trends in development of Japan in the next decade.» This article describes the main provisions of this section, which highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the country of The Rising Sun in the light of the global rivalry between the two Asian giants.

PRISONERS OF OBSOLETE TRADITIONS AND PAROCHIALISM by Y.M.Rusakov, PhD (History)
Keywords: Japan, innovative modernization, deflation crisis, Tokyo’s territorial claims
Japan needs contemporary innovative modernization of the whole society probably more than other developed countries. Even after the end of Great Recession (1990-2003) the country cannot get out of the deflation pit caused by the structural economic crisis. Japan’s ratio sovereign debt/GDP surpassed 190%, twice in comparison with the US. Process of the modernization is going on hesitantly, the clutch of obsolete paternalistic traditions prevents many creative Japanese individuals from applying their innovations. In spite of the accession to the power of the opposition Democratic Party Japan’s politics remains stagnant and fragile.
Political leadership of foreign policy is also quite clumsy and unimaginative. This pattern once again revealed itself in the detention of a Chinese fishing trawler in disputed waters of Diaoyu (Senkaku) Islands. It caused a diplomatic snafu, Tokyo had to step back just to prove an irresistible change of the balance of power in Eastern Asia in favor of China.

50 YEARS OF “THE YEAR OF AFRICA”

THE SOVIET UNION AND DECOLONIZATION OF AFRICA by A.V.Denisov, PhD and A.Yu.Urnov, Dr.Sc. (History)
Keywords: Africa, the Soviet Union and decolonization, the UN resolutions
The article examines the role of the Soviet Union in the anti-colonial movement in Africa. The authors draw attention to the fact that the geopolitical reasons for Soviet aid to developing countries in Africa went together with the ideological and propagandistic motives. Solidarity with the oppressed peoples of the Third World, the elimination of the colonial system, support for young newly independent states - all served to the main objective of Soviet foreign policy: the struggle against international imperialism, that is, against the western ideology and political-economic system.

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE AFRICAN UNION: THE GOALS AND THE REALITY by V.A.Usov, PhD (History)
Keywords: the Organization of African Unity, the African Union, the Pan-African Parliament
The article traces the evolution of this political organization, which has united all the countries of the African continent. The author draws particular attention to the objective difficulties which the African Union is confronting nowadays. Nevertheless, the author believes that existence of the Union is certainly a step forward in the development of ideas and practices of African integration, as well as in developing by all the countries of the continent a common position in response to global challenges.

THE VISIT OF THE SOUTH-AFRICAN PRESIDENT TO MOSCOW: IN SEARCH OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP by E.V.Kharitonova, PhD (Psychology), S.M.Tishenko, D.A.Zelenova
The article summarizes the results of the visit of the SAR President J.Zuma to Moscow. During that visit the South African leader has had a meeting with the President of Russia. A number of intergovernmental agreements has been signed. Besides the Russian-South African business forum has taken place.

REGIONAL SECURITY

DOUBLE GAME PLAYED BY PAKISTAN by V.V.Sergeyev
Keywords: Pakistan, Afghanistan, the U.S., Taliban
U.S. partnership with Pakistan is playing the key role in the fight of Americans and their allies against the Taliban in Afghanistan as well as in Pakistan, particularly on the Pakistan-Afghan border. However, some circles in Pakistan are playing a double game. On the one hand, Islamabad fulfils certain U.S. demands, on the other – it follows in Afghanistan its own policy controlling a certain part of the terrorist underground, and undermining United States efforts in the region.

CHINESE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC: INDESTRUCTIBLE BLACK MARKET OF SHARES by A.S.Belova
Keywords: China, stock, stock exchange
In China to day simultaneously with the rapid development of securities market more and more activity demonstrates the Chinese black market of shares. The article gives the story of the formation and establishment in China of illegal circulation of shares of various Chinese companies. This spontaneous market has already become an important part of the infrastructure of the Chinese securities market. The author makes a number of assumptions about the future of the black market in China.

INDIAN “PARADISE COMMUNE” IN CANADA by J.I. Kotin. (St. Petersburg), Dr.Sc. (History)
Keywords: Canada, India, Indo-Canadians, and multiculturalism
The article presents the story of Indian immigration to Canada, telling us how the immigrants are adaptating to the
new cultural and civilization environment. The author introduces readers with the results of his own field research conducted in Canada in some Indian communities.

THE NEAREST NEIGHBOR OF OUR FAR EAST by P.Y.Tsvetov, PhD (History)

Keywords: China, Heilongjiang, the Far East, Trans Border Trade, economic cooperation
Heilongjiang Province, is playing an important role in the development of relations between China and regions of the Russian Far East. It has been demonstrated once again at the
21-th Harbin international trade and economic fair. The author shares his impressions of his visit to the fair and the city of Harbin itself in connection with a new strategy of the Russian leadership towards the Russian Far East.

NEWS OF ORIENTAL STUDIES

THE CONFERENCE OF BUDDHISTS IN MOSCOW
The conference of Buddhists has been held in the Moscow Institute of Oriental Studies. The main subject of the conference was “Vadzrajana Buddhism in Russia: from periodical contacts to sustainable interaction”. The report about the discussions held at the conference is published in our magazine.

“RUSSIAN” MOROCCANS by N.V. Sukhov
Keywords: Morocco, Russian-speaking community, intermarriage
Author of the article - the director of the Russian Center for Science and Culture (RCSC) in Morocco - shares his observations about the life of Russian-speaking community in Morocco. Currently, the country is a home for one of the largest Russian communities, numbering up to 3 thousand of our compatriots. Mr. Sukhov analyses the activity of the Association of Russian-speaking inhabitants of Morocco and gives the stories of legal complexities that arise in mixed families.

NIGERIA IN THE FOREIGN POLICY OF LONDON by O.S.Kulkova
Keywords: United Kingdom, Nigeria, international relations
The article contains the analysis of political relations between Britain and Nigeria during the term of office of the Labor governments of T.Blair and G.Brown. Britain is particularly interested in the development of stable relations with this African country. Nigeria is one of the leading countries of Tropical Africa with authority in the region, the largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa and the main supplier of energy resources to Britain. After Tony Blair came to power and the civilian rule was restored in Nigeria in 1999 the relationship between the two countries gained new momentum. The activity of opposition groups in the Niger river delta is a serious problem for that relationship. So during the term of office of Prime Minister Gordon Brown two governments were working together upon a task of solving that problem. In 2010, new governments have come into power in both countries and the new prospects of bilateral co- operation have arrived.

OTAKU: PROS AND CONS. COMPUTER AGE AND THE NEW GENERATION OF PEOPLE by E.L.Katasonova, Dr.Sc. (History)
Keywords: Japan, otaku subculture
The phenomenon of cyberculture as a new feature of the modern world is especially clearly visible in Japan where the new generation was formed by Internet and mobile technologies as the main sources of information.
The highest level of access of Japanese citizens to the modern communication technologies in combination with specific traditional values is showing us appearance of the powerful cyberculture industry bringing to consumers everything – from anime in millions of versions up to serious literature and art works.
It is cyberculture that in coming years will form all the system of cultural values of the new generation in Japan.

TWO NOVELS BY RADJA RAO by E.J.Kalinikova, PhD (Philology)
Keywords: India, literature, Radja Rao
The article presents the analysis of literature heritage of well known Indian writer Radja Rao. Particularly attention is paid to his novels “Kantapura” and “Snake and rope”.

CITY MURUGANA AND MARINA by N.L.Listopadov, Dr.Sc. (History)
Keywords: Murugana, Marina, South India, Chennai
In this case Marina is not a female name, but the main sight worth seeing in the South Indian city Chennai (Madras). Marina (that is maritime) is not only a quay but also a broad sand bar which goes along the Bengali bay. You find a lot of interesting information in the article about South India.

TIBET: NOTES FROM THE WORLD OF GHOSTS by E.Y.Zhukova
Keywords: Tibet, Lhasa, traditions
Isolated from the rest of the world by high mountains Tibet is still a mystery, an enigmatic country. For many centuries it has been inaccessible for foreigners, not only because it is difficult of access but also due to complicated political situation in this part of China.
This a story of a group of Moscow students-orientalists who have realized their dream and have reached the city of Lhasa.

SAHARA AND IT’S ELBOWROOM by V.A.Isayev, Dr.Sc. (Economy)
Review of the book by A.B.Podtserob “Sahara and it’s elbowroom”, M., Biblioglobus, 2010, 191 p.

DRAMATURGY OF ETHIOPIA by E.S.Lvova, Dr.Sc. (History)
Review of the book by G.A.Balashova “Modern Dramaturgy of Ethiopia”. The author is a brilliant specialist in the Amharic language who has worked for many years in the Russian Cultural Center in Addis-Ababa.

Summary