JAPAN AFTER WWII

GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR – Commands occupation forces in Japan to ensure they do not threaten world peace

General MacArthur and Emperor Hirohito

GOALS: ENDING MILITARISM Armed forces disbanded Overseas empire dismantled War crimes trials

BUILDING DEMOCRACY Constitution of 1947 Emperor loses power (remains figurehead) Constitution protects people’s rights, women gain right to vote, illegal to wage war, weakens power of zaibatsu and large landowners

1952 Occupation ends Japan is now an ally of the U.S.

ECONOMIC MIRACLE: REASONS FOR SUCCESS Borrowing western tech. and improving it Adopt, Adapt, Adept Traditional values such as loyalty and hard work, employees work as a team

REASONS FOR SUCCESS CON’T Japanese save a lot of income, gives banks investment money Gov’t spends little on defense, invests in business Gov’t and business cooperate Agriculture shuts out foreign imports w/ high tariffs

CONCERNS Trade imbalances – Japan exports more to U.S. than it allows to be imported

TODAY Economic setbacks and depression in 1990s, early 2000s Cities crowded, space limited Earthquakes still a concern Women often have lower paying jobs, status Some Japanese are tired of working so hard Aging population and low birthrate

Crowded Cities

KOBE EARTHQUAKE 1995