Introduction
Q2. After World War 2, Japan gained a greater economic power which was derived from occupational forces. In 1945 and 1952, Douglas A. Mac Arthur led the U.S forces and enacted socioeconomic and political reforms. In 1945, the allied powers including the U.S implemented indirect rule to Japan. Prior to the reform policies, the Supreme Commander Douglas Mac Arthur prevented the production of military by developing economic demilitarization. In 1947 when MacArthur implemented economic demilitarization, Japan created the Constitution. During this period, Japan had no military power or defense forces but rather it used outside forces from U.S.
Thesis: Although both the Japanese and the Americans claims to have influenced the economic growth in Japan the United States occupation in Japan established reform policies to recover and reconstruct State as well as the economy. Reform policies from U.S occupation were Zaibatsu break up, labor democratization and land reform. These reforming policies held great effect in modernization and democratization of the nation thus impacting its capability for growth.
The argument with Japanese is that they brought an amazing economic growth which was influenced by application of knowledge and skills in the economic system[1]. The point is that the reform policies from the American forces were not enough to bring economic recovery and for that reason, Japan ready had their unique and dependent plans for recovery after the defeat. After the World War 2, Japan’s economy was destroyed and the country needed economic reconstruction. Even though U.S implemented three major reforms, Japan had the plan on developing economy and preparing the country for the Cold war. In the period of 1947, Joseph Dodge implemented the Dodge plan which was effective for providing the country will full strength in solving the economic problems on inflation[2]. The Doge plan developed a balanced budget, elimination of new loan which increased inflation and reduction of subsidies.
The important point to note is that the Dodge plan caused recession and labor unrest but the economy was influenced by the Korean War. During the period of 1950-1951, Japan had recovered from economic recession and it experienced a significant boom. The economy effect after the Second World War decreased the international competition but after the Korean War, Japan had technological innovation and achieved recovery and stabilization. Other point is that in 1950s-1070s, cumulative effort from Japanese was also significant in improving the economy. People were able to apply imported skills and knowledge in the economic system. Through technological-know how, Japan had numerous technology which led to industrial growth such as steel industry. The economy was also influenced by the economy policies which were implemented by the policy-making authorities. In other words, the political system played a significant role in developing the economy by implementing the Yoshida Doctrine which led to economic reconstruction through saving military expenses. The policy created the Japan’s contemporary diplomatic identity and a complete recovery. Other strategy was Income Doubling Plan which doubled the income of Japanese workers and accumulating private and public forms investments. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry in Japan led to rapid expansion by creating private business initiatives which were associated with long-term success[3]. Steel industry, chemical industry and others entered in the international markets and applied technological knowledge thereby promoting economic growth.
In 1868-1912, feminists’ consciousness led to human rights and modernization of Japan in 1887[4]. During 19th century, idealists and advocates had the interest in shaping the political and economic issues. They focused on reconstructing the constitution and creating political reforms which could eliminate the inequality. During 1894-1895 between China and Japan, women were in the front line to define roles in the society and to inform the government the necessary social changes which would be implemented[5]. In 1886, men and women had joined forced and they were interested in reforming the social practices especially the major problem of the sexual abuse. In 1869, political and economic policies which were made after Meiji Restoration led to division of labor in the households[6]. Men, women and children were affected but in 20th century, the government played a significant role in shaping the role of the women. Generally, the household division reflects on the women history and their role in production and reproduction. Japan had diversity of local practices and during the Tokiugawa period, women role led to economic development especially in preindustrial agriculture[7].
Even though Japan implemented domestic factors and technology for industrial development, allied forces played a big role in bringing economy recovery. Indeed, Japan knew U.S as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers (SCAP) since U.S led to effectiveness in different ways[8]. In this case, SCAP was Douglas MacArthur who implemented reform policies for economy recovery. Prior to reform policies, Douglas formed the Japan Constitution in 1947. Prior to the formation, Macarthur had developed economic demilitarization and after the creation of the constitution, Japan had the power of military forces[9]. Apart from demilitarization, U.S occupation led to three major reforms policies which not only developed the economy but also democratized the nation. First, U.S led to the zaibatsu breakup inform of destroying the holding companies and creation of Anti-Monopoly Law which was responsible for banning cartel activities. Zaibatsu breakup also allowed the creation of Decentralization Law which reduced the number of companies with market control[10]. U.S occupation led to land reform which democratized the nation. The land reform also brought the transfer of land ownership and developed tenancy practices for farmers. Prior to the establishment of land reform policy, owner-operated land was 54% but the change increased the number to 90%[11]. Japan recovery was achieved in an effective away through the elimination of feudalistic state and the nation’s interest in modernizing Japan. The third historical event which led to economy recovery in Japan is labor democratization. This led to development of labor unions and the growth of labor union was high given that in 1948-1949, it was 60%[12]. This was also influenced by the zaibatsu breakup which allowed the allied force to implement the Trade Union Law. The latter allowed workers to work in private industry and to participate in collective bargaining and strike. The law also developed good working condition and higher unions which in turn led to domestic consumption and economic development[13].
Conclusion
Both Japan and U.S played role in creating economic recovery. However, the important point to understand is that U.S was a powerful nation as it brought reforms which led to recovery. In other words, U.S brought guidance and control which led to a powerful constitution responsible for the creation of superpowers. Even though Japan established the Dodge plan in 1948 which controlled inflation and stabilized the nation, U.S occupation led to profound changes. Indeed, U.S main goal in economic recovery was to establish a new constitution which would encompass important aspects. The constitution was responsible for woman’s right, labor unions, income distribution, land ownership and elimination of child labor. Thus, the point is that U.S occupation made Japan to benefit not only economically but also socially and military.
Work cited
Caprio E. Mark& Yoneyuki Sugita Yoneyuki. Democracy in Occupied Japan: The U.S. Occupation and
Japanese Politics and Society. Volume 10 of Routledge Studies in Asia's Transformations. 2007
Sievers, Sharon L. Flowers in Salt: The Beginnings of Feminist Consciousness in Modern Japan. Stanford,
Calif: Stanford University Press, 1983. Print.
Bernstein, Gail L. Recreating Japanese Women, 1600-1945. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1991.
Print.
Dower, John W. Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War Ii. New York: W.W. Norton &
Co/New Press, 1999. Print.
Yokoi Noriko. Japan's Postwar Economic Recovery and Anglo-Japanese Relations, 1948-1962
Routledge Studies in the Modern History of Asia. 2004
[1] Yokoi Noriko. Japan's Postwar Economic Recovery and Anglo-Japanese Relations, 1948-1962
Routledge Studies in the Modern History of Asia. 2004 (16).
[2] Ibid (16)
[3] Ibid (20).
[4] Sievers, Sharon L. Flowers in Salt: The Beginnings of Feminist Consciousness in Modern Japan. Stanford, Calif: Stanford University Press, 1983. Print. (10)
[5] Ibid (26)
[6] Bernstein, Gail L. Recreating Japanese Women, 1600-1945. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1991. Print. (42)
[7] Ibid (42)
[8] Dower, John W. Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War Ii. New York: W.W. Norton & Co/New Press, 1999. Print. (23)
[9] Ibid (23)
[10] Caprio E. Mark& Yoneyuki Sugita Yoneyuki. Democracy in Occupied Japan: The U.S. Occupation and Japanese Politics and Society. Volume 10 of Routledge Studies in Asia's Transformations. 2007 (26).
[11] Ibid (32)
[12] Ibid (34)
[13] Ibid (38)
