Assisted by foreign experts, Japan leaped from a feudal society to an industrialized nation in a few decades. Having the advantages of beginning with modern equipment and loyally submissive laborers, commerce flourished and wealth accumulated. As technology developed, Japan continued to expand its sphere of influence in Asia.
By the 1930's the nation was wholeheartedly committed to a myopic, nationalistic self-interest, thus setting the stage for entering World War II. An intense race between Japan and the Western nations had arisen as each attempted to maintain their foreign interests. In 1941, when sanctions were taken against Japanese trade, Japan felt compelled to retaliate by attacking the U. S. military base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, thus entering World War II against the United States.
On August 14,1945, the emperor of Japan announced by radio broadcast that the war had been lost. Soon thereafter U. S. military forces occupied Japan and installed a democratic form of government. The emperor, who proclaimed himself not divine, was retained as a figurehead ruler. Japan's existing political system was utilized to help save resources and help the country recover from the devastation of war as quickly as possible. The program was extraordinarily successful because of the ability of the Japanese to quickly abandon a futile course of action and launch themselves in other directions. They accepted defeat, renounced military power, and strove to become a peaceful and respected member of the world community.
In the decade preceding Pearl Harbor, Japan had invested one-half of its national income in armaments. When the occupation outlawed the military, Japanese discipline and the growing economy helped set the stage for economic recovery. During the seven years of occupation, the United States gave financial and economic support to help Japan rebuild. Because the United States had taken on the responsibility of defending Japan, the Japanese could concentrate their energies on building the economy.
By 1960 Japan had embarked on the course that would eventually be known as the "economic miracle." By 1980 Japan's economy was second in the world after the United States. By 1990 the economic miracle had converted Japan into a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic society. The alliance with the United States, however, had not been altogether blissful. During the 1980's trade disputes and friction concerning finance became major obstacles to U. S.-Japanese harmony.
World History
