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20th Century Japan
Japan
before 1873
The
end of Japanese isolation
The origins of Japan, Inc.
1900-1920
At the beginning of
this century, Japan had already begun one of the most radical changes societies
have seen in recent times. In the space of a few short decades, Japan had, under
the auspices of the Meiji Restoration, undergone a systematic effort to "westernise".
Previous centuries of isolationism had left the country, technologically and
economically backward and when the country was finally opened, there was a rush
to modernise. All things western were considered advanced and beneficial, from
language to lifestyles and soon Japan was the most modern country in Asia with
a burgeoning urban population.
1920-1930
Japan's industry
was now humming smoothly in factories, mills and workshops across the countries.
Increasingly, people were moving: to the cities, to the factories, to foreign
countries. Many left to colonise Brazil and the US while the rest spread across
South East Asia. However, migration could not stop the population from increasing
exponentially as the benefits of greater affluence and modern medicine were
felt. But the increasingly younger, better-educated Japanese were becoming more
politically active and took advantage of the new, democratic Meiji Constitution
to voice out their grouses, causing the state government to hurriedly take measures
to pacify the people and stamp out the seeds of communism.
The
Rape of Nanjing
Japan between the wars
1930-1945
Japan's military,
namely the Imperial Army and Navy, progressively gained more and more political
power in Japan, to the point where the state government and the military were
inextricably connected. Nor were the Japanese displeased. In fact, the military
was perceived as the democratic defender of the nation and impartial champion
of the people, while the government was seen as weak and ineffective, both at
home and abroad. This led the Japanese to put great faith in their military,
a faith that would be destroyed after the Japanese defeat in World War II.
1945--1955
At the end of World
War II, the defeated nation lay in ruins and national morale was crushed. However,
with the help of their US conquerors, who stepped in to turn Japan into a democratic
ally, the Japanese began the mammoth task of reconstructing their nation and
society.
Post
World War II Japan
An American reconstruction
1955-1970
With the American
Occupation formally over, the Japanese began anew their headlong rush to turn
their country into a "first class" nation with a fully industrialised economy.
National pride was restored when Japan experienced its decades long Economic
Miracle, which brought many material benefits to ordinary Japanese.
1970 -- 1980
With conspicuous detriments
brought about by solely concentrating on economic growth, namely environmental
degradation and inadequate welfare spending by the government, the Japanese
were no longer willing to sacrifice quality of life for economic gains. Feeling
dissatisfied and threatened by poor infrastructure, practically non-existent
welfare provisions and life-endangering pollution, the people demanded that
the government change course. And so the ruling administration embraced environmentalism
and the idea of a clean, knowledge-based economy. At the same time, welfare
spending was also gradually raised to Western European levels.
1980 to the Present
Japan is now a highly
efficient, developed country, a world leader in finance and manufacturing. However,
the country now grapples with the twin problems of having the fastest ageing
population in the world as well as increasingly bored, dissatisfied and rebellious
youth. At the same time, Japanese pop culture is being eagerly absorbed by youth
everywhere. Japanese fashion (both street and haute couture), comics, drama
serials and computer games now have an international following. The Japanese
have also developed a fondness for Western things and only the recent economic
woes of the country have stemmed the consumption of western culture somewhat.
The same economic crises have also left a slightly uncertain mood amongst the
Japanese on the future path of their society.