Z Factor.
This is coolbert:
About a decade or so now, there was a book that came out with the title of "The Z Factor". This book dealt with the relationship between Japan and the U.S.
And the gist of the book was that Japan was now the ascendant world power and the U.S. was now on the decline. Japan was now the world's economic powerhouse and in the near future was going to surpass the U.S. in all areas of economic development. Japan was becoming the largest creditor nation on the planet and the U.S. the largest debtor nation. Etc.
And what the author wanted to emphasize was that Japan no longer had to be subservient to the U.S. and be the "yes" man. Japan could steer and follow it's own course in the world, to it's advantage, and not having to take American interests or wishes into consideration when making decisions.
There was another book that had the same message, and was published approximately the same time as was the "Z" book. This book was called, "The Japan That Can Say No". Had the same basic ideas and concepts that did the "Z" book.
In addition, there was a "secret" study that was commissioned by the Chairman of Sony, Morita. This study was an analysis of American society, culture, politics, foreign affairs, etc. [read this study for yourself by clicking here]. Done by Japanese scholars for Morita. And was designed to be circulated among Japanese movers and shakers as a guide to them as to how they should make business decisions regarding America. And the study was not too flattering at all to the U.S. On the contrary. The study basically said that the U.S. was a sick society on the way out and was not a good prospect for Japanese investment in the future. Somehow, this "secret" study was leaked to the outside world, and Morita ended up with big egg on his face.
This type of thinking seems to have been pretty common in Japan at the time.
Now, what most intrigues me is that the choice of the title for the first book I
mentioned, "The Z Factor". I believe the choice of this title was very well thought out and provocative, at least to the Japanese audience. The significance would be lost on non-Japanese audiences, with intention.
The letter "Z", when taken in the proper context, has a strong significance for initiated Japanese audiences.
Prior to the great naval battle of Tsushima [1905] [read about Tsushima by clicking here], the Japanese Admiral Togo raised an oversized Japanese flag prior to battle. Togo's flagship led his armada into battle flying this flag [click here to see what this flag actually looks like]. Closing on the Russian fleet, Togo raised this flag, the meaning being:
"13:55 The range was 12,000m, the MIKASA steered to W, and hoisted "Z" flag, which meant:
"The rise or fall of Imperial Japan hangs on this battle. Everyone shall be stirred up harder and do your best." [similar to what Nelson said at Trafalgar, Togo being a great admirer of Nelson].
The battle that resulted in a stupendous victory for the Japanese over the Russians. A victory that cemented Japan's place in the powers of the world. Japan, from this point on, was a world power of the first magnitude, in a league with the European powers and the U.S. This flag that was flown by Togo became known, for whatever reason, as the "Z" flag. And it became a powerful symbol in Japan. A symbol to the Japanese of their ascendancy and greatness.
Move forward to 1941. The Japanese fleet is approaching the Hawaiian Islands to launch aircraft for the attack on Pearl Harbor. The attack aircraft are lined up on the carrier decks awaiting take off. And it is just at sunrise. And Admiral Nagumo, on his flag ship, to the surprise of everyone, raises an oversized flag. But not just any flag. It is the same "Z" flag flown by Togo 36 years earlier. [Some authorities say this was not the same flag, was a flag called the "DG" flag].
"Vice Adm. Nagumo, commander of the task force steaming toward Oahu, Hawaii, hoisted the "DG" signal flag on the mast of his flagship, which he had let it be known among his fleet meant exactly the same as Admiral Togo's "Z" signal, flown from the Mikasa's mast 36 years earlier: "The fate of the Empire depends on this battle. Let every man do his utmost."
This symbol was not lost on the Japanese pilots. It told them the significance of this event, the attack on Pearl Harbor. It was an attack the Japanese hoped would have results for them similar to that of Tsushima, destruction of the fleet of an opposing world power, and further advancing the status of Japan as a world power. Japan, after winning a war with America, it was hoped, would not be just a power among powers, it would be a world power ranking with perhaps only Germany, while exceeding all others!! This gesture of Nagumo's had the desired motivational impact, and the attack was successful
Again, move ahead, this time say forty five years into the future from 1941. And, as I have said before, you now have the book with the title, "The Z Factor". Was it a coincidence that the title was chosen as it was? I think not! This title was deliberately chosen for the consumption of Japanese audiences to bring attention to the gist of the book. Japan was no longer going to be a power among powers, Japan was now going to be "the" world power. And "Z" is the symbol of that power, a symbol created by war.
coolbert.
And the gist of the book was that Japan was now the ascendant world power and the U.S. was now on the decline. Japan was now the world's economic powerhouse and in the near future was going to surpass the U.S. in all areas of economic development. Japan was becoming the largest creditor nation on the planet and the U.S. the largest debtor nation. Etc.
And what the author wanted to emphasize was that Japan no longer had to be subservient to the U.S. and be the "yes" man. Japan could steer and follow it's own course in the world, to it's advantage, and not having to take American interests or wishes into consideration when making decisions.
There was another book that had the same message, and was published approximately the same time as was the "Z" book. This book was called, "The Japan That Can Say No". Had the same basic ideas and concepts that did the "Z" book.
In addition, there was a "secret" study that was commissioned by the Chairman of Sony, Morita. This study was an analysis of American society, culture, politics, foreign affairs, etc. [read this study for yourself by clicking here]. Done by Japanese scholars for Morita. And was designed to be circulated among Japanese movers and shakers as a guide to them as to how they should make business decisions regarding America. And the study was not too flattering at all to the U.S. On the contrary. The study basically said that the U.S. was a sick society on the way out and was not a good prospect for Japanese investment in the future. Somehow, this "secret" study was leaked to the outside world, and Morita ended up with big egg on his face.
This type of thinking seems to have been pretty common in Japan at the time.
Now, what most intrigues me is that the choice of the title for the first book I
mentioned, "The Z Factor". I believe the choice of this title was very well thought out and provocative, at least to the Japanese audience. The significance would be lost on non-Japanese audiences, with intention.
The letter "Z", when taken in the proper context, has a strong significance for initiated Japanese audiences.
Prior to the great naval battle of Tsushima [1905] [read about Tsushima by clicking here], the Japanese Admiral Togo raised an oversized Japanese flag prior to battle. Togo's flagship led his armada into battle flying this flag [click here to see what this flag actually looks like]. Closing on the Russian fleet, Togo raised this flag, the meaning being:
"13:55 The range was 12,000m, the MIKASA steered to W, and hoisted "Z" flag, which meant:
"The rise or fall of Imperial Japan hangs on this battle. Everyone shall be stirred up harder and do your best." [similar to what Nelson said at Trafalgar, Togo being a great admirer of Nelson].
The battle that resulted in a stupendous victory for the Japanese over the Russians. A victory that cemented Japan's place in the powers of the world. Japan, from this point on, was a world power of the first magnitude, in a league with the European powers and the U.S. This flag that was flown by Togo became known, for whatever reason, as the "Z" flag. And it became a powerful symbol in Japan. A symbol to the Japanese of their ascendancy and greatness.
Move forward to 1941. The Japanese fleet is approaching the Hawaiian Islands to launch aircraft for the attack on Pearl Harbor. The attack aircraft are lined up on the carrier decks awaiting take off. And it is just at sunrise. And Admiral Nagumo, on his flag ship, to the surprise of everyone, raises an oversized flag. But not just any flag. It is the same "Z" flag flown by Togo 36 years earlier. [Some authorities say this was not the same flag, was a flag called the "DG" flag].
"Vice Adm. Nagumo, commander of the task force steaming toward Oahu, Hawaii, hoisted the "DG" signal flag on the mast of his flagship, which he had let it be known among his fleet meant exactly the same as Admiral Togo's "Z" signal, flown from the Mikasa's mast 36 years earlier: "The fate of the Empire depends on this battle. Let every man do his utmost."
This symbol was not lost on the Japanese pilots. It told them the significance of this event, the attack on Pearl Harbor. It was an attack the Japanese hoped would have results for them similar to that of Tsushima, destruction of the fleet of an opposing world power, and further advancing the status of Japan as a world power. Japan, after winning a war with America, it was hoped, would not be just a power among powers, it would be a world power ranking with perhaps only Germany, while exceeding all others!! This gesture of Nagumo's had the desired motivational impact, and the attack was successful
Again, move ahead, this time say forty five years into the future from 1941. And, as I have said before, you now have the book with the title, "The Z Factor". Was it a coincidence that the title was chosen as it was? I think not! This title was deliberately chosen for the consumption of Japanese audiences to bring attention to the gist of the book. Japan was no longer going to be a power among powers, Japan was now going to be "the" world power. And "Z" is the symbol of that power, a symbol created by war.
coolbert.
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