I can't remember the time when Japan and Korea was like China today but you're right, there's no such thing as never. It will just be a lot more difficult for them because they have a history of building crappy products and counterfeit goods. To us they are like a felon trying to find a job. We make judgements based on their history and it will take a lot of convincing to prove themselves.
Last time the Japanese systematically vivisected women and children without anaesthesia, including live amputation of limbs and injection of bacteria was between 1935 and 1945. That is about 70 years ago, not 200.
You've had too much TV propaganda IMHO. China's bureaucrats nowadays have way more respect for their people than South Korea's elite. No idea about Japan.
I haven't had too much "TV propaganda." Maybe you haven't spent enough time with actual Chinese people. This is just jibber jabber. I'm sure some are in the audience, do you feel respected by Chinese bureaucrats? Come on. That's not even a serious response; it's like one of those "I'm going to make a provocative point that is counter the mainstream. DOWN WITH TV NOW -- NO BIG BOX RETAIL FOREVER!!" bogus statements.
Well .. yeap, TV in 21 century is for the most stupid part of population - those incapable of any independent thinking and research. Japan and SK being close allies to NATO and China enemy number one or two makes for a natural bias in Western TV coverage. I've spend most of the last 14 years doing business in SK and China, which gives me some confidence to confront the "mainstream" TV propaganda.