It's just sad that the generation ahead of us set up that conotation for the word Jap. I believe it's human nature to shorten things up to make things quicker, etc. It's easier to say Swede than Swedish, etc.

Brit is short for Britain, Aussie is short for Australian. I would even say when typing, other people might have written "that's a Germ car" and everyone would know what he meant. And when describing a car, like I did, I said that it was a Jap car. Not to be mean. Jap is short for Japanese. The Japanese have a stellar image to us later Americans, definitely, the country of Japan produces quality cars. I certainly wasn't saying "that was a @E# damn Jap car". That would be easily distinquished as rude and offensive. The former use should initially be overlooked in my opinion and in the long run can help change the old meaning into something to be proud of.
Once again, I think the generations ahead of us made that word a "no use" word. We just can't use it; although it's natural and generic

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JHaburay

1972 280se 4.5 "princess"
1986 2.3-16v first 100 (099) USA