JAPANESSE INDUSTRIALIZATION
Since XII till XVII century Japan went through many rebellions and political instability. But the Edo period ( XVII till XIX century) was significant for the later industrialization as political situation stablished.
In the Meiji period (ending XIX century) the political isolation of Japan ended and the industrial revolution started. It first started in the textile sector. Japan began introducing new methods on the production of textiles in order to compete with Europe, China and India. Also Meiji period ended with the feudal system making Japanese able to advance in society, they could for example get a higher education than they were able before, so that increased highly the global education of the country. And higher level of education brought a significant growth on the industrial sector, as workers were more professional. |
Japanese medicine, science, technology and mathematics developed as well as the governments invested in education. Railroads and infrastructures improved as well.
All of this made Japan a capital system and the economy grew. |
POST WORLD WAR IAfter First World War there was a recession and prices fell and the shortage returned.
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War crimes and atrocities. Nanking
During the Second World War japanese population and war prisoners suffered from hunger, the poor conditions of the country and the authoritarian represions. In 1937, during the war with China, Japan had a cruel and frivolous attitude. They rapped chinesse women and killed between 400000 people. Even two japanese officials competed on decapitating 100 chinese citizens. |
WORLD WAR IIAs the Military took control of the government the economy turned into a war economy. (warships and airforce).Decreasing the focus on agriculture, textile industry and other forms of economy, which were lead offscreen. Rationalization in aliments among the population appeared and labour conditions decayed.
Pearl Harbor and the United States Manchuria, Taiwan and Korea were colonies of Japan and Japan used the resources of these three countries, but as they were insufficient Japan invaded Indochina. This invasion pushed US and UK to take retaliation. US seized japan’s energy and they also remained without the importations of american petrol (which were the 80% of the imported petrol). This economic blockade caused the Pearl Harbour attack on december 1941. The Pearl Harbour attack occurred in the naval base of Pearl Harbour (Hawai) and it leaded to the Pacific War. |
From the skies. The end of the war On the 6th of august 1945, when Germany had already surrendered and the end of the Second World War was near, United States launched two atomic bombs against two Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, to make Japan surrender. This bombs killed more than 100,000 people and destroyed both cities. This event event continues to be controversial. It remains questionable if these attacks were necessary (it was expected that Japan was going to surrender soon as their allies did already) or was just a way in which the US reaffirmed its power. |
POST WORLD WAR IIThe birth of a new Japan
In the Potsdam Declaration, they called for Japan’s unconditional surrender, achieved by august in 1948. led by General Douglas A. MacArthur the US occupied and reformed the then destroyed Japan into a new model, similar to that of the United States. Japan was fundamentally changed and punished for the committed atrocities and demilitarized. With a new constitution a new japan emerged with great influence from the US. After the occupation Japan saw an Economic miracle. In the 1950s Japan became a western ally. Japan joined the UN and opened its economy to manufacturing consumer devices and electronics.
Japan experienced further westernization. Technological boom Known as the post-war economic miracle, for 3 decades Japan experienced an unprecedented growth becoming the world's second largest economy from 1978 until 2010. |
The rebirth of japan, blending in with technology.
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The government supported huge industrial and financial conglomerates, such as Mitsubishi, known as Zaibatsu. The US partially dissolved them during the occupation, however they remained and made it difficult for small new companies that were not supported by the government to compete. The zaibatsu became a critical factor for the rapid economic evolution.
Japanese culture was key for the economic boom, as a saving mindset allowed for large investment. The lifestyle and philosophy shaped a new labor force. The well educated Japanese population became the key to innovation and productivity, however, excessive work became an issue.
Japanese culture was key for the economic boom, as a saving mindset allowed for large investment. The lifestyle and philosophy shaped a new labor force. The well educated Japanese population became the key to innovation and productivity, however, excessive work became an issue.
Transport and commerce
As the growing population required new means of transport, Japanese transport became incredibly effective, sometimes considered the best thanks to the Shinkansen also known as bullet train. Japanese merchant marine became the largest in the world as trade and aquaculture became more relevant.
As the growing population required new means of transport, Japanese transport became incredibly effective, sometimes considered the best thanks to the Shinkansen also known as bullet train. Japanese merchant marine became the largest in the world as trade and aquaculture became more relevant.
Lost 20 years. The end of a miracle
Japan's rapid economic growth suddenly stopped. The 1990s became known as the Lost decade, although the following decade, the 2000s is also included as the damage remained.
Banks lending increased in order do decrease inflation, but this burst the bubble. Big and unsustainable companies and firms were receiving aids and loans under the statement that they were too big to fail. Aided by the lack of Japanese competition, new competitors appeared such as South Korea.
Japan.
Japan's GDP took twelve years to recover its 1995 level, and to this day it is still recovering.
Japan's rapid economic growth suddenly stopped. The 1990s became known as the Lost decade, although the following decade, the 2000s is also included as the damage remained.
Banks lending increased in order do decrease inflation, but this burst the bubble. Big and unsustainable companies and firms were receiving aids and loans under the statement that they were too big to fail. Aided by the lack of Japanese competition, new competitors appeared such as South Korea.
Japan.
Japan's GDP took twelve years to recover its 1995 level, and to this day it is still recovering.