Asean countries' perception of Japan are not the same as East Asian countries

 Though the experiences of East Asia and SE Asia during the Japanese Invasion were quite similar, there are in many ways quite different as well. All were invaded and almost colonised by the Imperial Japan, some longer, some semi colonised, with the exception of Thailand. Several of the countries had their people massacred by the Japanese with very few exceptions. The countries that suffered the most from Japanese atrocities and cruelties were China and Korea and to a certain extent Taiwan. China lost 35 million death, Korea and Taiwan were colonised completely and their people treated with disgust by the Japanese. The Taiwanese were treated slightly better after a couple of hundred thousand were massacred followed by a 'taming of the beast' or 'domestication of the Taiwanese' campaign by the Japanese.

The experiences of SE Asia were quite different in a way. They were all colonies of Western empires, and the Japanese were just another empire, another colonial master. The SE Asian countries had been subdued and were not independent nation states. politically still immature. Nationalism in SE Asia and nationalistic resistance were nascent. Changing of the national anthem, nationalities and raising a foreign flag did not really mean much to the colonised people. 

In contrast, the Chinese and Korean were ancient civilisations with distinct identities of nationhood, though not in the western sense. But they were clearly civilisations with their political systems, kingship etc. The pain felt by the East Asian states were therefore more severe, also contributed by the cruel and barbaric acts of the Japanese Imperial forces.

Without any strong identities, with their familiarity of being ruled by foreign forces, the brief Japanese rule, though harsh and cruel, was just a brief phase of their history and easily and conveniently forgotten. SE Asian countries also have a bizarre affection for their colonial masters, not withstanding the massacres and discriminating status as colonised people. Maybe they are suffering from the Stockholm Syndrome.

For the SE Asian states, with very shallow roots, like duckweeds, history and the past are not that meaningful to them. Many did not remember or did not want to remember what the Japanese did to their forefathers and non existent nation states. It is all like starting a new chapter in their national history. It is therefore quite easy for the SE Asian states to welcome and embrace Japan as a friend. And many are easily taken in by the bowing and smiling Japanese, thinking that the Japanese are very nice and polite people.

Some Asean states would readily welcome the Japanese as the new policemen of SE Asia, just like they welcome the Americans. Why not, these are powerful and rich countries that can provide economic help to grow their economies. Never mind about the past, the massacres and occupation. The Japanese also did not mind the American military presence and overlording them despite the two Atomic Bombs. If the Japanese can forgive the Americans, just follow the Japanese way and forgive the brutal invasion and colonisation during the Japanese Occupation. And if the Japanese are strong enough to reconquer SE Asia one more time, so be it. A devil we know is better than the devil we don't know. 

The Japanese are the most qualified to rule SE Asian countries. They had done that before, colonising all of them and ruling them for a few years before they were defeated. Another plus for Japan is that they did not massacre enough SE Asian natives, so they are still welcome by the natives that survived the massacres. Would Asean states be happy to be ruled again by the Japanese, the very nice and polite Japanese, unlike the brutal and barbaric Japanese of the past?

SE Asia needs a big power to be the policemen of the region. The Americans may not be here for long. Let the Japanese have some practice as the next policemen of the region, to bring peace and prosperity to the region. Oops, they had hands on experience in WW2, ruling over the region. The Japanese tried with their East Asia Co prosperity Sphere, to 'liberate' the SE Asian states from western colonialism. It would be better, and no bloodshed, if the SE Asian states were to invite the Japanese here to turn their East Asia Co prosperity Sphere into reality this time. And it should not be an issue to raise the Japanese flag and sing the Japanese anthem once again, a great dose of nostalgia. SE Asian states had great experiences in being ruled by colonial powers. They would get used to it very quickly. Some already planning to be the 52nd state of the USA. Never mind even have to learn to speak Japanese and change their names to Japanese names. Many SE Asians like to be Japanese, like everything Japanese, like some of the Taiwanese.

Banzai, Banzai!

Oops, oops, the above is just a satire of the possibility of the Japanese returning to rebuild their Japanese Empire in SE Asia peacefully after failing to do so in WW2. And this time it would be a happy ending with the SE Asian states welcoming them with open arms. Please Nihon san, no need to massacre anyone this time, be kinder, be civilised, no need to be cruel and brutal to the natives. Remember, the SE Asian natives love you, love to be ruled by the Great Imperial Japan and worship the Japanese God Emperor.

The East Asian states, except the Taiwanese, would never accept to be ruled by the Japanese, over their dead bodies. They have enough pride and dignity to live as free and independent nation states.