After Defeat: Re-emerging as a Global Economic Power
During the 1930s, Japan exercised imperialist policy and invaded China to extend its colonial empire. Japan’s attempt to carve out a colonial empire ended with its defeat by the Allied forces. However, it was defeated in World War II when the US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Japanese philosopher Miyake Setsurei (1860-1945) argued that each nation must develop its special talents in the interest of world civilisation: The rapid rebuilding of the Japanese economy after its shattering defeat was called a post-war ‘miracle’.
- It resulted in the huge destruction of the masses. Under the US-led Occupation (1945-47) Japan was demilitarized and a new constitution was introduced.
- The new constitution had Article 9 the so-called ‘no war clause’ that renounces the use of war as an instrument of state policy.
- Agrarian reforms, the re-establishment of trade unions and an attempt to dismantle the zaibatsu or large monopoly houses that dominated the Japanese economy were also carried out. The Constitution was democratised.
- Political parties were revived and the first post-war elections were held in 1946.
- Suffrage was given to women in the elections of 1946.
- There was a close relationship between the government, bureaucracy and industry.
- Japan also introduced better goods at cheaper rates in the market with its advanced technologies.
- US support, as well as the demand created by the Korean and the Vietnamese wars also helped the Japanese economy.
- The 1964 Olympics held in Tokyo symbolised the maturity of Japan’s economy.
- The introduction of a network of high-speed Shinkansen or bullet trains, started in 1964 and ran at 200 miles per hour adding to its prosperity.
- In the 1960s several pressure groups protested against industrial pollution. Industrialisation was pushed with utter disregard for the growth of civil society movements due to its harmful effect on health and the environment.
- Government action and new legal regulations helped to improve conditions.
Paths to Modernisation: Japan Class 11 History Notes
Japan is a string of islands the four largest being Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku, and Hokkaido. The Okinawan chain is the southernmost, about the same latitude as the Bahamas.
More than 50 percent of the land area of the main islands is mountainous and Japan is situated in a very active earthquake zone. Japan succeeded in remaining free of colonial control and achieved fairly rapid economic and industrial progress throughout the twentieth century.
In this article, You will get to know about The Political System in Japan, the Meiji Restoration, the Meiji Reforms, the Remerging of Japan as a Global Economic Power, and much more about the Path to Modernisation of Japan.
Paths to Modernisation: Japan Class 11 History Notes