Are the Japanese ashamed?  Germany has just overtaken Japan as the 3rd largest economy in the world by GDP.  What explains Japan's stagnant economy and Germany's surpassing of Japan?

日本人会觉得羞愧吗？按GDP计算，德国已经超过了日本，成为世界第三大经济体。如何解释日本经济停滞不前和德国超越日本？

以下是Quora网友的评论

Michael X

No, because Germany surpassed Japan a long time ago, it is expected. The stats doesn't tell the real story. Germany successfully integrated itself into the Europe politically and economically. The entire EU is an economic colony of Germany, and on German companies' payroll. Unlike Germany who sincerely apologized, Japan failed to resolve its historical issues with countries in its region. The potential market for Japan hit the ceiling since the 90s, and it failed to innovate in any new industries ever since. India is set to surpass it in a few years, then Russia, Korea, Indonesia.

As you can see in the trade relations graph, Germany has its own sphere. Japan doesn't, even worse, its largest trading partner is actually China, politically Japan allies with the US, imagine how much market share China is willing give Japan.

不会啊，因为德国很久以前就超过日本了，这都是预料之中的事。统计数据并不能反映真实情况。德国在政治和经济上成功地融入了欧洲。整个欧盟都是德国的经济殖民地，被德国公司雇佣。与诚恳道歉的德国不一样，日本至今都没有解决与亚洲各国的历史问题。自上世纪90年代以来，日本的潜在市场就达到了顶峰，从那以后，日本就没有在任何新行业中实现创新。印度将在几年内超过日本，接着俄罗斯、韩国、印度尼西亚也会超过日本。

正如你在贸易关系图表中所能看到的，德国有自己的势力范围。日本没有，更糟糕的是，日本最大的贸易伙伴其实就是中国，但政治上日本又是美国的盟友，所以可想而知中国能给日本多大的市场份额。

Fernando Rolandelli

The real shame is for the rest of the countries which were not devastatedl by a terrible, losing war.

日本真正的羞愧应该是对那些没有被可怕的、失败的战争摧毁的国家。

Naoya Yamaguchi

We Japanese aren’t particularly ashamed of such things.

Germany surpassed Japan in size of economy translated into US dollars chiefly because of Japan’s low interest and quantitative easing policy.

我们日本人对这些事情并不会特别感到羞愧。

换算成美元后，德国的经济规模超过日本，主要原因在于日本的超低利率和量化宽松政策。

Zoya Baloch

It is not appropriate to make broad generalizations about an entire nation's feelings or emotions like shame in response to economic fluctuations. Economic growth and rankings among countries can be influenced by a multitude of factors, and these changes are usually analyzed by economists and experts within the field.

把一个国家对经济波动的感受或情绪一言概之，说什么羞愧等等，并不妥当。经济增长和国家之间的排名可能受到多种因素的影响，这些变化通常由该领域的经济学家和专家负责进行分析。

Japan's economic situation and its relative ranking in terms of GDP can be attributed to several complex factors. Japan has faced challenges such as an aging population, low birth rates, and a high level of government debt. These demographic trends have contributed to sluggish economic growth. Additionally, Japan has a unique economic structure, characterized by a strong manufacturing sector, and faces competition from other emerging economies.

日本的经济状况及其在GDP方面的相对排名可以归因于几个复杂的因素。日本面临着人口老龄化、出生率低和政府负债高等挑战。这些人口数据的变化导致经济增长缓慢。此外，日本具有独特的经济结构，其特点是制造业十分强大，还面临着其他新兴经济体的竞争。

Germany's economic growth and overtaking Japan in GDP may be due to various factors as well. Germany is known for its strong export-oriented economy and its manufacturing prowess, particularly in industries like automobiles and machinery. The German economy has been driven by robust exports, innovation, and a skilled labor force. It's essential to note that economic rankings can fluctuate over time due to various economic policies, international trade dynamics, and global economic conditions.

德国的经济增长和GDP超过日本也可能是由于各种因素。德国以强大的出口导向型经济和制造业实力而闻名全球，尤其是在汽车和机械等行业。德国经济一直受到强劲的出口、创新和熟练劳动力的推动。需要注意的是，各种经济政策、国际贸易动态和全球经济状况等因素会导致经济排名随着时间的推移而波动。

To understand these changes fully, it is advisable to consult economic experts and consider multiple factors rather than making assumptions about emotions such as shame. Economic rankings are often the result of complex and multifaceted factors that require careful analysis and consideration.

若想充分理解这些变化，最好咨询经济专家，综合考虑多种因素，而不是凭空臆测羞愧等情绪。经济排名通常是多方面因素的复杂结果，需要仔细分析和考虑。

Ruhul Alom

There is no consensus on whether the Japanese are ashamed of Germany overtaking Japan as the world's third-largest economy. Some Japanese people may feel a sense of national pride or embarrassment, while others may not care.

There are a number of factors that have contributed to Japan's stagnant economy in recent decades. One factor is the country's aging population. Japan has one of the oldest populations in the world, and its workforce is shrinking. This has led to a decline in productivity and economic growth.

日本人是否对德国取代日本成为世界第三大经济体感到羞愧，目前还未达成共识。有些日本人可能会因为民族自豪感而觉得尴尬，而另一些人可能并不在乎。

近几十年来，许多因素都导致了日本经济的停滞不前。其中一个因素是日本的人口老龄化。日本是世界上人口老龄化最严重的国家之一，劳动力正在萎缩。这导致了生产率和经济增长的下降。

Another factor is Japan's deflationary spiral. Deflation is a general decline in prices, and it can be harmful to the economy because it discourages consumers from spending money. Japan has been experiencing deflation for many years, and it has made it difficult for businesses to grow and create jobs.

Germany's economy, on the other hand, has been growing steadily in recent years. One factor that has contributed to Germany's success is its strong manufacturing sector. Germany is a world leader in manufacturing cars, machinery, and other goods.

Another factor is Germany's export-oriented economy. Germany exports a large percentage of its goods and services, which helps to boost its economy.

另一个因素是日本的通货紧缩。通货紧缩是指物价普遍下降，可能对经济有害，因为通货紧缩让消费者不愿意消费了。日本已经经历了多年的通货紧缩，这给企业增长和创造就业带来了难度。

另一方面，德国经济近年来一直稳步增长。促成德国成功的一大因素是强大的制造业。德国在汽车、机械和其他商品的制造业方面处于世界领先地位。

另一个因素是德国的出口导向型经济。德国有很大一部分商品和服务出口海外，这有助于提振德国经济。

It is important to note that both Japan and Germany are highly developed economies with strong economies. Japan is still the world's third-largest economy, and Germany is the fourth-largest economy. The fact that Germany has overtaken Japan as the world's third-largest economy does not mean that Japan is a failing economy.

However, it is clear that Japan's economy is facing some significant challenges. The country's aging population and deflationary spiral are both major concerns. If Japan is to address these challenges, it will need to make some major reforms to its economy.

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值得注意的是，日本和德国都是高度发达的经济体，经济实力强劲。日本是世界第三大经济体，德国是第四大经济体。德国取代日本成为世界第三大经济体，并不意味着日本就是一个失败的经济体。

但很显然，日本经济面临着一些重大挑战。日本的人口老龄化和不断加剧的通货紧缩都是主要问题。如果日本要解决这些问题，就必须对经济进行重大改革。

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En Li

Was it not said that they were those who happened to have the thickest of skins ever seen anywhere on earth?

“Ashamed”? O la-la, by fussing to wonder about even those folks’ sense of pride, or the lack of it.

You know something? Even if that country would become the 31st largest economy by GDP in the world, do you think that they would be so “ashamed” as to stop drinking sake and start drinking the near beer from Bavaria?

大家不都说日本人的脸皮是全球最厚的吗？

“羞愧”？哇哈哈，我很想知道这些人的自豪感有多强，搞不好没有自豪感也是有可能的。

你知道吗？即便这个国家的GDP降到世界第31位，你觉得他们会“羞愧”到不喝清酒，改喝巴伐利亚啤酒吗？

To tell you the truth, even if that state would be yet taken over by Bangladesh and become the 42nd largest of the world’s economies, they might still unashamedly spend even more time, each and every day, on drinking the fish soup and slur the sashimi both of which are made of nothing but the seafood from nowhere except Fukushima!

After all, that is a nation which is so evilly shameless as to discharge like poison its nuclearly contaminated waste water only to, you bet, poison the oceans of the earth and kill the fish living there.

说实话，就算这个国家被孟加拉国接管，变成世界第42大经济体，他们可能也还是会毫无羞愧感地每天花更多的时间喝鱼汤，吃生鱼片，这两种东西都是用福岛之外地区的海鲜做的！

毕竟，这是一个非常无耻的国家，他们排放像毒药一样的核污染废水，当然啦，核污水会毒害地球的海洋，杀光海洋里的鱼类。

Oh, “what explains the stagnation” of its economy? You should best go ask either the Germans or the Indians.

“India, currently the world's fifth-largest economy, is on track to surpass Japan and become the third-largest global economy, with a projected GDP of $7.3 trillion by 2030.”

哦，如何解释日本经济“停滞不前”呢？你最好问问德国人或印度人。

“印度目前是世界第五大经济体，有望超过日本成为全球第三大经济体，预计到2030年GDP将达到7.3万亿美元。”

Hiroyuki Kitagawa

Japan and Germany are both significant economic powers, but both economies have faced different problems. Japan has experienced a period of stagnant growth since the 1990s, often referred to as the "Lost Decades," due to factors such as an aging population, high public debt, structural issues, and deflationary pressures. On the other hand, Germany has been successful due to its strong manufacturing sector, export-oriented economy, emphasis on vocational training and education, and investment in innovation and research. That economic rankings can change over time, and factors beyond GDP should be considered when evaluating the overall health of an economy.

日本和德国都是重要的经济大国，但两个经济体都面临着不同的问题。自上世纪90年代以来，由于人口老龄化、高额公共债务、结构性问题和通缩压力等因素，日本经历了一段增长停滞的时期，通常被称为“失去的几十年”。而德国的成功得益于强大的制造业、以出口为导向的经济、对职业培训和教育的重视以及对创新和研究的投资。各国经济排名会随着时间的推移而变化，在评估一个经济体的整体健康状况时，还应该考虑GDP以外的因素。

Patrick Wormser

Because Japan is an aging country refusing immigration work forces and producing most outside the country as Germany does the contrary : import a massive work force and home produces almost everything.

因为日本是一个老龄化国家，拒绝劳动力移民，在国外生产大部分商品，而德国恰恰相反：引入大量劳动力，国内可以生产几乎一切商品。

Sabari

There's no need for the Japanese to feel ashamed. Economic rankings can fluctuate over time due to various factors. Japan has faced challenges in recent years, such as an aging population and slow economic growth. On the other hand, Germany has experienced strong export-driven growth and a robust manufacturing sector. It's important to remember that economies are complex and influenced by multiple factors.

日本人没有必要感到羞愧。出于各种因素，各国的经济排名会随着时间的推移而波动。近年来，日本面临着人口老龄化和经济增长放缓等挑战。另一方面，德国拥有强劲的出口驱动型增长和强健的制造业。重要的是我们要记住，经济是复杂的，会受到多种因素的影响。

Jack Crawford

Japan’s population is declining and that isn’t hel anything. Old people aren’t working and not enough young people to support them.

I recommend the book, Capitalism the Unknown Ideal, by Ayn Rand, a Russian-American philosopher, not an economist. It contains an essay, "What is Capitalism," because the author rightly holds that most people don't know what it is. She writes about laissez-faire capitalism, not the mixtures of capitalism, fascism, and socialism we have today. Also, she gives a moral defense of it, which nobody else does. It was published about 1964 so you can tell how prescient she was. Also check out YouTube to see her on the Johnny Carson show (3 times) in 1967. She wrote both fiction and non-fiction.

日本的人口不断减少，这可不是好事。老年人没有工作，又没有足够的年轻人来赡养他们。

我要推荐一本名为《zb主义的未知理想》的书，作者是一位俄裔美国哲学家，并非经济学家。书里有一篇文章，“什么是资 本主义”，因为作者发现大多数人都不知道什么是资  本主义。

她介绍了自由放任的资 本主义，并非我们今天看到的资 本主义、法西斯主义和社会主义的混合体。此外，她还为zb主义做了道德辩护，这是别人做不到的。

这本书大约出版于1964年，你可以看出她多么有先见之明。YouTube上还能看到她在1967年参加的约翰尼·卡森秀(三次)。她除了写小说，也写非虚构类文学作品。

Eric Wang

Let’s not be too harsh on Japan. This is not a fair comparison. Germany is an independent country while Japan is a US vassal jum through hoops and immolate itself to keep its suzerain’s economy strong.

The 1985 Plaza Accord has severely hamstrung Japan’s ability to sustain its economical growth. It will take Japan a long time, if possible, to recover. With the US high interest rate, ever-rising national debt and addictive money-printing, Japan’s national debt continues to rise in sync. Japan will continue on its survival mode for decades to come. This is the price to pay for its WW II atrocity.

我们不要对日本太苛刻了。这种对比并不公平。德国是一个独立的国家，而日本是美国的附庸国，为了保住宗主国的经济实力不惜牺牲自己。

1985年的广场协议严重削弱了日本维持经济增长的能力。日本需要很长时间才能恢复元气。美国上涨的利率、不断堆筑的国债和沉迷上瘾的印钞行为，令日本的国债同步上升。在未来的几十年里，日本将继续维持其生存模式。这是日本为自己在二战期间的暴行付出的代价。