Japan's Second Miracle

I. The economic miracle

A. Recovery in the 1950s

national income rises 8.3% per year

per capita income rises 7.21% per year

prewar status achieved 1953

factory shut-outs and government support

government employees' no-strike policies

"Made in Japan" means cheap

B. The boom years: 1960s and '70s

U.S. postwar loans repaid

"Made in Japan" means quality

the Tokyo Olympics, 1964

the new middle class

even distribution of wealth

C. How did Japan do it?

cultural factors: loyalty and bushido

work ethic

respect for education

group v. individualism

MITI and research coordination

the Bank of Japan and risk-taking

economic imperialism in Asia and Latin America

cheap labor

dumping

dual economy at home

subcontractors

women and temporary workers

corporate policies

permanent employment

training programs

risk-taking and long term planning

people who sit by the window

seniority

cooperation v. competition

titles, salaries and bonuses

benefits

II. The political miracle

A. the cost of the economic miracle

company unions

wages and workers' rights

unsafe working conditions

pollution and the courts

the Minamata incident, 1959

Kawasaki asthma

B. America, the LDP, and AMPO

America's nuclear umbrella

Japan's nuclear allergy

making Japan a target

the hydrogen bomb and the Lucky Dragon, 1954

military bases

firing range accidents

farm land and airstrips

drunk-driving, rapes, brothels and bars

Okinawa

C. "Ratification" of the American constitution

AMPO revision, 1960

P.M. Kishi and the Eisenhower visit

unconstitutional methods in the Diet

student protests

Zengakuren

yakuza, right-wing gangs and the police

parents and professors

death of a student

the broadening protest

Eisenhower's visit canceled

Kishi's resignation

party and individual power

modern seppuku

what did it all mean?

anti-American?

anti-AMPO?

anti-U.S. bases?

anti-Kishi?

war record

unconstitutional behavior