Japan's Modernization After WW2

       Despite losing World War 2, suffering great food scarcity, loss of soldiers, and a ruined economy, Japan is now known to have one of the strongest economies. During World War 2 they began to ramp up production of war materials, such as weapons, tanks, and airplanes, along with more specific instruments to serve them well throughout the war. Afterwards, with barely any need for these factories, they were repurposed to better suit civilian needs. Rather than making military clothing for soldiers, a factory might switch to making regular civilian clothing. This very closely mimics similar things that happened in the US after the war, when things were beginning to go back to normal. Additionally, Japan heavily relied on trading with other Western countries, especially the U.S. to strengthen their economy. Interesting fact: salmon was first introduced to the Japanese diet in the early 1950s, when they began trading with Norway. Very cool.
       The United States decided they wanted to help out Japan with rebuilding their economy. I suspect this was a power move as it would mean that Japan owed them, but maybe the US just likes being nosy. They imposed social and economic, etc. reforms and tried to base new systems off of older US systems and methods. US soldiers were stationed in Japan until around 1952 to help ease the country into a better state of stability. This is an interesting case of modernization theory because it happened between two countries who had just been in a fierce world war against each other. However, it does not surprise me one bit that the US wanted to so closely observe Japan's new methods of development.

Sources:

https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/japan-reconstruction

http://www.iun.edu/~hisdcl/h207_2002/jecontakeoff.htm

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2124.html

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