7/26/2009
The EU consists of 27 countries. Furthermore, there are more countries in Europe.
The BIG 3 are Germany, France, and the UK. Each has a population of about 60(now70-80) million and have historically competed with each other. They are still proud of their standard of living. Each has different strengths. Germany is strong in science, music, and philosophy. France is strong in art and culture, such as painting, and England is strong in novels and politics.
There are countries in the vicinity that have small populations and small areas, but have a high standard of living. These include the three Benelux countries, Denmark, Switzerland, and Austria. The people of these countries do not say it, but they think they are the best in Europe.
Italy has the best history, but the standard of living is a little lower, and Spain has Arabs and other ethnic groups, and some people do not want to call it “Europe. The Scandinavian countries are also quasi-European.
I am not trying to point out racism or discrimination by country. I just want to state a few facts. Overcoming discrimination starts with understanding the facts.
These countries are at the top of the list, so to speak. Next comes Eastern Europe. These include Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Romania, and other former Soviet bloc countries. These countries are currently on the hard road to freedom and capitalism, and are seen by Western Europeans as a notch or several steps down in terms of their standard of living. Even the former East Germany, which was the superior country in the former Soviet bloc, is suffering from being seen as half a man by the people of the former West Germany.
Until recently, investment from Germany and other countries had been thriving, attracted by low wages, but since the Lehman shock, the economy has been in a slump.
Finally, there are countries such as Bosnia, which was formed after the breakup of the former Yugoslavia, as well as Albania and Bulgaria. These countries are regarded as a burden.
The sumo wrestler Kotooshu is from Bulgaria. From the Western European point of view, they would probably say, “Don’t call us Europe.
（Turkey’s standard of living is on par with Bulgaria’s. The population is 70 (now 80)million. Turkey is a large country with a population of 70 million. It is also a Muslim country, and racially, it cannot be called European, and it is having a hard time being admitted to the European Union.)
The above is a topographical map of Europe, but as I wrote earlier, I am not saying that I see this as a good or positive thing. Rather, it is the opposite. Developed countries are also humanly advanced individualistic countries. I think it is rather the opposite of this ranking that warms my heart when I live there. It is the difference between the city and the countryside.
I have one acquaintance each who has lived in England and Germany for over 30 years. Both of them have recently returned to Japan. They have, so to speak, folded up their lives in those countries and made Japan the place for their retirement. It makes me think.
