Session 6 - 10/26 (morning), Saori Katada

[clay dube]

 

Rebuilding Japan’s Economy and Relationships

Saori Katada, University of Southern California

Reading:
Laura E. Hein, “Growth versus Success: Japan’s Economic Policy in Historical Perspective” in Andrew Gordon (ed.) Postwar Japan as History, University of California Press, 1993; 99-122.

 

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[Sara Newman]

I was really struck by the following passage in "Growth Versus Success": 

"Although Japan's relationship with the United States is not now—and has never been—that of full ally, American patronage has been crucial to Japanese economic development. After the war this patronage more than compensated for disruptions and hostility to Japanese by other Asians, for the shrinking silk market, and for the loss of the imperial economy. It is hard to imagine what Japan would be like today in the absence of this patronage, particularly in the pivotal years of the early 1950s."

I remember learning that Germany's economic collapse and resentment at what was taken from them in the aftermath of their World War I defeat were part of what primed Germany for the Nazi ascention. I wonder if the United States' decision to conduct so much business with Japan that they became crucial players in the rebuilding of the Japanese economy after the war was in any way a precautionary measure to avoid what happened with Germany between the World Wars being repeated in Japan. Or, is more that American military members saw things in Japan that they liked during the war, and that lead to the increased purchasing of Japanese goods? Or it that America wanted to ensure that they made capitalism more enticing to the Japanese than the Communism that the Soviet Union was promoting in other parts of Asia at the time?

[Cynthia Stults]

Sara, I thought your observation and questions about the role of the United States in Japan's economic rebuilding were spot on and I found myself having similar questions. I suspect, that as with most things, it may be a combination of all of those ideas. WWII exhausted the world and it would make sense that the United States would use any influence they had to avoid the issues that contributed to WWII, and the spread of Communism. I think as well that the greater exposure to Japanese culture and goods, the greater the desire for these goods and cultural practices. We saw that this was reciprocal as Japan was incorporating military technology, architecture, style, and food from Western culture, while at the same time, Western society was excited about aspects of Japanese culture and we incorporated aspects of their culture.  

[Cynthia Stults]

One thing that struck me during both the readings and the lecture was that of the Japanese government's relationship with Japanese businesses. During WWII, both the U.S. and Japan had much more governmental involvement with business, in order to better support the war effort. However, the U.S. changed that relationship pretty soon after the war ended, but Japan continued, and even strengthened the governmental influence and involvement with businesses. The government determined which industries they wanted/needed to be successful (electronics, construction, automobiles)and gave them an unfair advantage. The Japanese government gave lots of capital to its banks, who then lent out that money to preferred companies and industries, even if they weren't creditworthy. This strategy definitely helped Japan become a major exporter to the United States and an economic powerhouse, but these practices could not be sustained and then they experienced the "bubble economy" and as we experienced, bubbles always burst and Japan has only started to again grow economically. I suspect that those raging capitalists would argue that this makes the case for the government to stay out of business. What do you all think?

[Sara Newman]

I was really interested in what Professor Katada said about the roles of and expectations for women in Japanese society. She mentioned that because men are expected to work for 16 hours a day (and Saturdays too), most women--even college educated women--leave the work force after having kids. It makes sense that with one parent working so many hours, it would be important for the other parents to be more readily availible to care for and support the children. But, this makes me wonder what's expected of/for women from the time that they finish high school until they get married (around age 30ish according to Professor Katada). Are many women still pursuing college degrees and professional careers in the decade between high school graduation and marriage? Or, given the fact that women aren't expect to have long-term careers, are women pursuing mostly jobs that don't require college degrees?

[Iris Marin]

It was very interesting to learn that Japan had set up a cash based economy that prevented people spending beyond their means. Further, incentives to save in order to invest and industrialize in the future . I thought this was a great idea. Unfortunately, this collapsed during the bubble. It was unfortunate to hear that now they are spending more like westerners have been setup to do.

Further, I didn't realize that 99% of their oil is exported and led me to question if Japan is working on any more sustainable ways to power or fuel their needs.

[Iris Marin]

Sara, I thought this was very interesting as well. First, those are horrible hours, even for a man to work, and it made me think of the limited time he'll have to develop his relationships: with kids, wife. Second, I found it sad that a woman is unable to re-enter the workforce as a lifetime employee. Hence, they are unable reap the lifetime benefits such as retirement, medical. Further, if a woman does enter the lifetime employee system, they face harassment from their bosses. 

 

 

[Sara Newman]

I found the lengthy Japanese work day especially perplexing given the point that Professor Tsutsui made about prominence of of stakeholder capitalism (as opposed to shareholder capitalism) in Japan. If the companies are so committed to protecting their employees, why don't they take greater efforts to ensure the meantl health and wellbeing of their workers as well as their economic status? It was interesting to hear that companies wanted to offer worker protections, ehalthcare, and schools for the children of workers, but sustainability of the workforce seems like it should be a greater priorirty for businesses. I've heard a lot abotu the high suicide rates and even work-induced deaths in Japan, so how does Japan's seemingly altruisitc buisiness model deal with this? 

Additionally, if many women became wholly economically dependent on their husbands, does this lead to high rates of domestic abuse in Japanese households? I'd imagine that without the ability to leave a marriage, women would be more likely to have to endure neagative martial conditions. 

[Lizette Bernal]

Professor Katada’s presentation was very interesting! My favorite part was when she mentioned that although Japan’s economic power decreased because of China’s economic growth, its cultural recognition grew. I hadn’t noticed to what extent this was true until the mention of Naruto and animation. My boyfriend, and my sister’s fiance, are quite literally obsessed with Japanese culture. I say this because dinner is usually sushi and our entertainment is, for the most part, watching an anime series of some sort. In today’s seminar, Professor Katada discussed that animation (such as Naruto), food (such as sushi), music, and the Olympics taking place next year, is what’s occupying Japan at the moment. Another reference to Japan’s culture that I remember clearly is game Pokemon Go! I don’t think I’ve ever seen our community as united as when that game came out. Everyone gathered almost everywhere, especially beaches, to catch these animated characters. I read that the name Pokemon originated from a Japense brand “Pocket Monsters” (Poketto Monsuta) which makes total sense since the characters are collected and stored (not in a pocket but device this time) to evolve further.

[Marcos Garrido]

I loved Professor Katada’s presentation on how Japan became this successful economic model post world war II, and some of the main factors that enabled this transformation. This presentation reinforced some of my presumptions I had on Gender in Japan, on how women are held back socio-economically in this patriarchal society. Also, I was very interested in how the relationship between Japan and the United States became forcefully positive during the Cold War. It was very interesting to learn that since the 1860s, Japan has been trying to westernize its economy and culture. Learning about some of the impacts that WWII had on the Japanese economy, it seems that this process of reconstruction enabled the Japanese people to work collectively and understanding their place in society to lift Japan from famine and chaos. I think that Japan is a role model for many developing countries around the world, and it was really a learning experience to be exposed to some of the fundamental changes that Japan went through to get to this point. I also found interesting this attempt or competition that is taking place with China to bring infrastructure to Southeast Asian and African countries. I don’t think that there are many countries in the world that can do this.

[Lizette Bernal]

Towards the end of Professor Katada’s lecture, there was mention of the norm of Japanese families. I found it similar to what I see in American families. Many of the people I know belong to groups of families with 2-3 children and their parents. The only notable difference in my opinion is the divorce factor within American parents. Professor Katada informed us that typically Japanese families are constructed of parents, male and female, that have a clear division of labor. To further explain this idea, men are the ones that work, whereas women are stay-at-home wives. This may play a role in why divorce wasn’t mentioned in the discussion of norms within Japanese families. In America for example, both men and women aim to work and become educated. Evne moreso now that women are supported and empowered to become independent and successful on their own (i.e. less dependant on men). It’s also interesting that Japense men (husbands) work about 16 hours shift Monday through Friday and sometimes Saturdays. Though this sounds relatively similar to what teaching feels like, Japanese men are away from their home for those long hours (educators can at least work from home after school, right?). I’m wondering if this plays any role in the unity of Japense families (parents and children) and also unity between the parents themselves? Is there tension at all? Is there a lack of emotional and physical support on behalf of both the wife and the husband?

[Lizette Bernal]

Hi Iris,

The way Japan set up limits for spending was really interesting. Although I'm still a little confused on how it worked, I like the idea of setting regualtions to avoid spending on items that aren't needed. It would definitely increase savings. But how does one monitor that? I might've missed th answer to this next question in the lecture also, but does this always work or are there some flaws?

[Lizette Bernal]

Hi Sara,

I posted on a similar topic. I think women know what they're role is when married and maybe that also influences their focus (major) while studying. What I mean by this, is that considering their stay-at-home role when starting a family, I'd like to think that they use their education and knowledge to in a way teach (or home school) their children. It's definitely an added responsibility but it may make the effort worth it.

[Kurt Hansen]

I also found Professor Katada's point about the reasons behind the role of women in Japanese society. Everything she said makes perfect sense for the 1940's. The idea that this mind set still exists, that women are only in the workplace until it's time for them to have children is ridiculous. Women can work their asses off to get into college, just to take the rest of their lives off to raise children. It seems like such a waste of talent and brain drain to let half the population go home and have children. Raising kids is great. I've raised a couple of my own, but its time for Japan to join the 21st century and treat educated, working women with the same rules as men and maybe free the men up as well.

[Sara Newman]

Hi Liz, 

I'm do glad you're brining this up. It does seem like a far more extreme version of traditional gender roles than what we see in the United States today. Whether because of economic necessity or personal desire/ambition, it seems like a many (if not most) women today work outside of the home. The idea of mostly women remainaing housewives aligns more with Victorian America and Europe than modern expectations of men and women today. 

I think your point about divorce is really interesting. I just finished reading a book called Spinster about female writers living in the 1900s-1980s and the author talked a lot about how marriage was an economic necessity even for women who wanted to earn a living as a writer at the time. When women had the financial independence they were able to leave unhappy marriages, but divorce was a privilege. I wonder if the laws in Japan entitle women to much financial support if they choose to divorce their husbands. Also what are custody agreements typically like there? Or, if it fairly common for women to stay in unhappy marriages and/or endure infidelity because of their economic dependence on their husbands? 

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