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People met on my backpacking 124 - the pride of a great power

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From 1983 until the present, I went on various backpacking trips across the world. Approximately half were solo travelers. In truth, I was not alone. Though I left Korea alone, I always stayed with someone from another nation when I arrived (*at least two to three days, even more than one week). Conversation is critical. The more opportunities I had, the more I appreciated the worth of my country. I instantly became a patriot. What I'm talking about today is Japanese people.

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In 1996, I spent ten days with three Japanese backpackers in Andaman Island, India (a three-night, four-day boat trip from Kolkata). One of their distinguishing traits was that they carried along a large number of reading books. One day, I found a book they were reading. It was about modern Japanese history. It was the main countries controlled by Japan. They explored nations that Japan formerly ruled. I saw their own pride, which only offspring of great powers could have. Of course, Andaman Island has military facilities and structures left by their parents' generation.

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Japan controlled the following countries and years: Taiwan (1895-1945), Joseon (1910-1945), Saipan (1914-1944), Manchuria (1931-1945), China (1937-1945), Vietnam (1940-1945), Guam (1941-1944), the Philippines (1942-1945), Malaysia (1941-1945), Singapore (1941-1945), Indonesia (1942-1945), Myanmar (1942-1945), Papua New Guinea (1942-1945), Solomon Islands (1942-1945), Marshall Islands (1914-1944), Palau (1914-1944), New Guinea (1942-1944), and more.

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This is one of many experiences I've had while with the Japanese and saw the reality of their ancestors' power. The same is true in Sapporo, Japan. I feel the same way when I speak with Japanese people and witness their daily life. I couldn't see the weak among them. The USA bombed them twice, destroying them utterly. However, they did not demand that to compensate for the damage. There are several countries like that.

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Not only Israel today, but also many other countries. Greece, Russia, Mongolia, Poland, Vietnam, China, India, etc. were once ruled for decades at the most, and hundreds of years at the most. This may be the true pride of a great power. A strong person never indicates a victim. It may be because a real strong person can be destroyed but cannot be defeated. This is why I prefer a great power.

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Thanks for reading.

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