Michael

Economic Left/Right: -4.00 (the range is from +10.5 to -10.5)
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -0.72 (i.e. almost moderate)

I didn’t know I was a quasi-communist! I might as well apply for a membership of the CCP soon. Although I live in China on business now, I don’t like the Sinocentrism and the Chinese government. But, of course, I love Chinese friends of mine very much. I imagine that you can find many Japanese people just like me in China.

Economy is not a big factor when you brand someone as a leftist/rightist on the Internet in Japan. Whether anti or pro-China/Korea seems to be a main issue particularly among the young. Both of the left and right people have no choice but to reluctantly advocate a small government because Japan is heavily in debt at present.

Anyway, what I wrote in the two comments were too simplistic. What I’d like to say is that many people are quarreling about China/Korea issues online in Japan. In short, the two countries triggered nationalism in Japan. People brand each other a leftist/rightist, but ironically both sides tend to regard themselves centrists.

Seriously, though, I think the reason I don’t fit in well on most US tests is pretty simple. I’m not a fan of high taxes and huge government social programs. Like (at least pre-1995) Republicans, I’d like to see a smaller government that doesn’t invade people’s personal rights so much. On the other hand, I despise the religious right, and like most Democrats, I think that rampaging around the globe starting wars and legislating morality are scary, scary things. That’s why most political tests call me a moderate “liberal”, but the truth is, most of my political ideals hail back to the time of the founding fathers or before.

PS. Where did you come out on the political compass test? I’m guessing that in Japan, you’d be considered a “lefty” since you live in China and comment on so many China blogs. Also I’m curious, how do Japanese leftists and rightists differ in terms of economic policy?