[0max]

Would really love to see the LDP decide to open up immigration for folks from ASEAN member states. The JICA's infra projects in the region are a strong soft power play, and are getting delivered faster than anything funded by the Belt and Road initiative (or at least when I look at the different projects in Metro Manila, they are).

[galaxytachyon]

Not sure how true it is but an Asian friend told me the race that an Asian hates the most is another Asian...

Looking at the immigration policies of China and Japan, I think he might be right.

[0max]

On the flip side, you have subreddits like 2asean4you where nationalist rhetoric is acknowledged and lampooned in their memes.

There's also so much shared between cultures in the region, like how kakigori evolved into Halo Halo in Manila or how Takoyaki is popular all over the Philippines. Most of the names of our popular foods have names rooted in Hokkien/Southern Min.

[jutrewag]

Yeah but all that can change in the span of a generation. The old die and things change quickly.

[red-iron-pine]

It can -- maybe. So far don't see that happening.

[midoridensha]

I've met a bunch of Chinese people here, some of whom are naturalized Japanese. How much more open do you think it needs to get, open borders?

[prottog]

I would certainly prefer to drive on a JICA-built bridge than a OBOR one.