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Japan in Global Politics and Economy

Japan in Global Politics and Economy. 1950s-present. 1. trauma of war. Geo-politics: reluctant, subordinate actor. From armed and aggressive to unarmed and pacifist (and passive, subordinate?). Resistance and accommodation to US pressures to ally. WHY?. Geopolitics: reluctant power.

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Japan in Global Politics and Economy

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  1. Japan in Global Politics and Economy 1950s-present

  2. 1. trauma of war Geo-politics: reluctant, subordinate actor • From armed and aggressive to • unarmed and pacifist • (and passive, subordinate?) • Resistance and accommodation • to US pressures to ally WHY?

  3. Geopolitics: reluctant power • Astonishing shift: from armed and aggressive to unarmed • and pacifist, passive • Resistance and accommodation to US pressure to ally WHY? 1 trauma of war 2. It worked!

  4. Underlying tensions of pacifist US ally • Post 9-11: higher profile military deployments • Special (limited term) enabling legislation • Indian Ocean in 2001; Iraq 2004-09 (about 600 troops) • Majority public support for these steps, it seems • Significance: • Hollowing out of constitution? • A pragmatic recognition of need for US alliance rather than positive support for US policies

  5. “Seamanship for Peace and Love” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNdPPEwguDQ&NR=1

  6. Japan and Asia/non-West • Attractive idea of solidarity with Asia • prewar roots • Postwar efforts: • Bandung Conference • Normalization with Korea, China • Aid to SE Asia, Africa • Ongoing legacies of mistrust • Comfort women: reluctance to acknowledge • Nanjing massacre: loud minority of deniers • Textbook controversies: negative cycle of recrimination

  7. Close integration into global, capitalist economy Context: -remarkable global expansion -open trade regime volume of trade up 150x, 1938-1989 Successful separation of politics and economics

  8. By 1980s: “learning from Japan” • Ezra Vogel best seller “Japan as Number One: Lessons for America” • Just-in-time production • Total quality control • Education • YET

  9. Integration into global economy Tensions, from 1960s-present: chronic friction -disputes over trade and capital liberalization -disputes over NTB (non-tariff barriers) -harsh recriminations: Theodore White article

  10. Land prices boom Economy: Japan’s “Lost Decade” and lessons for America Prelude: The bubble era, 1985-90 • Strong GNP: up 55% • over the decade • Gold leaf sushi wrap

  11. Economy: Japan’s “Lost Decade” and lessons for America The bubble bursts: 1991-->

  12. Economy, 2003-2007 • Relatively strong GDP growth: • 2003-2007 annual growth • averages over 2% • Unemployment falls under 4% • Exports rise • Especially • to China

  13. Explaining Japan’s “Lost Decade” (ver. 1) 1. Systemic crisis: the bankrupt “1940s system” • system that once worked, • -developmental state • -interfirm networks as dynamic • -long-term labor commitments • Stopped working? -rigid state role • -ineffective finance system • -inflexible corporate organization

  14. Explaining Japan’s “Lost Decade” (ver. 2) 2. Policy failures drag down a gradually changing but still-viable system • Slow response to financial crisis • Tax increase choked off recovery in ‘98 • Eventually, through trial and error, got it right

  15. Lost decade lessons for America? negative

  16. Lost decade: lessonsfor America? positive Robert Feldman, Morgan Stanley Research report, 11/27/2008

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