As in 'it is unfortunate for us (Japan) that there are neighboring countries,' that were Shina/China (Qing) and Chosen (Joseon Dynasty Korea), he pointed out that both countries had been rejecting modernization and concentrating on an old business-as-usual system based on Confucianism, etc. to 'remain nationally independent under this violent wind of civilization eastward.'
その上で、「不幸なるは近隣に国あり」として、支那（清）と朝鮮（李氏朝鮮）を挙げ、両者が近代化を拒否して儒教など旧態依然とした体制にのみ汲々とする点を指摘し「今の文明東漸の風潮に際し、迚も其独立を維持するの道ある可らず」と論じる。