The difference of meaning

[mihoko]

Hi.
Could you please explain the difference of following phrases?

1) Japan's rule
2) Japanese rule
3) the rule of Japan


Thanks

[Casiopea]

1) Ownership: Japan owns the "rule"
2) Type/Kind: What kind of rule? A Japanese one.
3) Belongs to: These are the rules of this country

[nyggus]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

1) Ownership: Japan owns the "rule"
2) Type/Kind: What kind of rule? A Japanese one.
3) Belongs to: These are the rules of this country

From your reply strictly follows that "the Japan's rule" and "the rule of Japan" have different meaning. I would never say this, really! Is it a general rule, or maybe it applies for countries only?

[Casiopea]

Structure carries meaning. Different structures can share similar meanings; e.g., X's Y and the Y of X, but that doesn't mean they share the exact same meaning.

[dihen]

But if you say "John's mother" it doesn't mean John owns his mother, does it? So why would "Japan's rule" mean Japan owns the "rule"?

[Casiopea]

"mother" represents an animate being; "rule" is inanimate.

the mother of John <incorrect>
the rule of Japan <correct>
Japan's rule <correct>
John's mother <correct>

Can you see the pattern?