East Asia and Southeast Asia Ch. 17 Sec. 1 Bell work #1 The herald gazette don’t review science fiction movies such as robot or space creatures however popular it might be

Japan Becomes an Economic Superpower In 1945, Japan lay reeling. It had suffered perhaps the most devastating property damage of any nation involved in WWII. Why do you think so? In 1945, Japan lay reeling. It had suffered perhaps the most devastating property damage of any nation involved in WWII. Why do you think so? Hiroshima and Nagasaki were leveled. Tens of thousands of Japanese were homeless and hungry. Hiroshima and Nagasaki were leveled. Tens of thousands of Japanese were homeless and hungry. Occupation Goals- American military government set two main goals for the occupation of Japan: to destroy militarism and to ensure democratic government. Japan’s armed forces were disbanded. Trials were held to punish those responsible for wartime atrocities. Occupation Goals- American military government set two main goals for the occupation of Japan: to destroy militarism and to ensure democratic government. Japan’s armed forces were disbanded. Trials were held to punish those responsible for wartime atrocities. In 1946, a new constitution provided that “the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation.” Japan, it said, would never maintain military forces except for its own defense. In 1946, a new constitution provided that “the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation.” Japan, it said, would never maintain military forces except for its own defense.

Japan economic Power

The Constitution The constitution stripped the emperor of power. Instead, power was vested in the people, who elected representatives to the Diet, or parliament. Also, it protected basic rights such as freedom of thought, press, and assembly. The constitution stripped the emperor of power. Instead, power was vested in the people, who elected representatives to the Diet, or parliament. Also, it protected basic rights such as freedom of thought, press, and assembly. The Americans introduced economic reforms designed to promote democracy. The constitution protected the right of workers to organize unions. The Americans introduced economic reforms designed to promote democracy. The constitution protected the right of workers to organize unions.

The Cold War United States eager to end the occupation and turn its WWII enemy into an ally brought about a peace treaty with Japan in United States eager to end the occupation and turn its WWII enemy into an ally brought about a peace treaty with Japan in Japan was happy to be under the nuclear umbrella of the U.S. Japan was happy to be under the nuclear umbrella of the U.S. Through this the two became trading partners and, in time, competitors for the global market. Through this the two became trading partners and, in time, competitors for the global market.

Japanese Successes Between 1950 and 1975, Japan produced its own economic miracle, even more spectacular than Germany’s. It chalked up huge jumps in gross domestic product (GDP). GDP refers to the total value of all goods and services produced by a nation. Between 1950 and 1975, Japan produced its own economic miracle, even more spectacular than Germany’s. It chalked up huge jumps in gross domestic product (GDP). GDP refers to the total value of all goods and services produced by a nation. The Japanese success story was built on producing goods for export. By the 1970s, Japanese cars, cameras, and television sets found eager buyers on the world market. Their electronic goods form computers to robots were competing with western, especially American, products. The Japanese success story was built on producing goods for export. By the 1970s, Japanese cars, cameras, and television sets found eager buyers on the world market. Their electronic goods form computers to robots were competing with western, especially American, products.

Reason For Success As Japan's economy expanded, it invested in ventures around the world. The Japanese financed and operated mines and plantations. They built airports and chemical plants. When a tire factory was to be built in East Africa or a dam in Central America, the engineers were as likely to be Japanese as American. As Japan's economy expanded, it invested in ventures around the world. The Japanese financed and operated mines and plantations. They built airports and chemical plants. When a tire factory was to be built in East Africa or a dam in Central America, the engineers were as likely to be Japanese as American. With few natural resources, how did Japan enjoy such enormous success? With few natural resources, how did Japan enjoy such enormous success?

Reason For Success After the war, Japan like Germany had to rebuild form scratch. Also like Germany it had the advantage of having successfully industrialized in the past. Now it quickly built efficient, modern factories that out produced older industries in the West. It adapted the latest technology form the West to create its own high quality products. They benefited form a well- educated and skilled work force. Workers saved much of their pay which gave banks the capital to invest in industrial growth. After the war, Japan like Germany had to rebuild form scratch. Also like Germany it had the advantage of having successfully industrialized in the past. Now it quickly built efficient, modern factories that out produced older industries in the West. It adapted the latest technology form the West to create its own high quality products. They benefited form a well- educated and skilled work force. Workers saved much of their pay which gave banks the capital to invest in industrial growth.

A New World Role Nothing brought home Japan’s dependence on world markets more than OPEC’s price hikes in the 1970s. Japans booming industries had fed on cheap imported oil. Higher energy costs sent shock waves through its economy. Nothing brought home Japan’s dependence on world markets more than OPEC’s price hikes in the 1970s. Japans booming industries had fed on cheap imported oil. Higher energy costs sent shock waves through its economy. In response, Japan sought better relations with Oil-producing nations of the Middle East. It also tried to reduce energy use by building more efficient power plants and expanding and improving public transportation. In response, Japan sought better relations with Oil-producing nations of the Middle East. It also tried to reduce energy use by building more efficient power plants and expanding and improving public transportation.

International Politics Although Japan was an economic superpower, it took a back seat in international politics. Today it ranks as the world’s largest donor nation. In 1990, it provided money, but no soldiers for the Gulf War. Two years later, its soldiers joined a UN peace keeping force for the first time. Although Japan was an economic superpower, it took a back seat in international politics. Today it ranks as the world’s largest donor nation. In 1990, it provided money, but no soldiers for the Gulf War. Two years later, its soldiers joined a UN peace keeping force for the first time.

Changing Patterns In the past 50 years, Japan has enjoyed many economic successes. In the 1990s, however. Japan faced its worst economic depression since the 1930s. Companies had to make cutbacks, and many workers lost the security of guaranteed lifetime employment. In the past 50 years, Japan has enjoyed many economic successes. In the 1990s, however. Japan faced its worst economic depression since the 1930s. Companies had to make cutbacks, and many workers lost the security of guaranteed lifetime employment. Crowded cities- Today 80 percent of the Japanese population live in cities, which are hugely overcrowded. Housing is expensive, and space is scarce. Most people live in tiny, cramped apartments. Many space hungry Japanese move to the suburbs but then face long commutes to work. Crowded cities- Today 80 percent of the Japanese population live in cities, which are hugely overcrowded. Housing is expensive, and space is scarce. Most people live in tiny, cramped apartments. Many space hungry Japanese move to the suburbs but then face long commutes to work. In 1995, a severe earthquake badly damaged the city of Kobe. Japan lies in a region often rocked by earth quakes, and Japanese highways and other structures were supposed to be designed to withstand such quakes. The disaster in Kobe raised question about just how much technology can protect against natural forces. In 1995, a severe earthquake badly damaged the city of Kobe. Japan lies in a region often rocked by earth quakes, and Japanese highways and other structures were supposed to be designed to withstand such quakes. The disaster in Kobe raised question about just how much technology can protect against natural forces.