Postwar Japan
Encyclopedia
Postwar Japan refers to the period in Japan
ese history immediately following the end of World War II
in 1945 to the present day. Before and during the war Japan was known as an empire
but is now officially the .
on 3 May 1947, the Empire of Japan was dissolved.
During this period of the occupation, Japan was changed to a democratic
state. The absolute monarchy
was abolished, national sovereignty
was written to the new constitution
(literally the Constitution of the State of Japan). By the Constitution of Japan from 3 May 1947, the Empire of Japan was legally dissolved, and the State of Japan was formed legally.
Democratic politics: the abolition of the secret police in October 1945, the participation of women in politics in April 1946, the Fundamental Law of Education
, 1947, and so on.
The prewar Japanese politicians (former empire) was convicted in the Tokyo Trial. But the supreme politician Emperor Hirohito
was not convicted, and enthroned to the emperor of the new state. After the death of seven war criminals, convicted of the Tokyo Trial was restored political position. The reactionary wave is called the "reverse course
", the effect of the principles of the Cold War
. In this way, the State of Japan started under the nuclear umbrella of the United States.
, which is led by the United States.
In 1960, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower
and Nobusuke Kishi
signed the Security Treaty Between the United States and Japan
. They were enemies of each other in World War II, but returned to the alliance after the war.
During 1960 and early 1970s, Japan entered a period of rapid economic growth
. During this period, the Tokaido Shinkansen was established, and the Expo '70
was held.
From 1973 to 1985, Japan entered stabilized growth. Japan's postwar cultures began to form during this period. From 1985 to 1991, the bubble economy occurred.
terminated the Cold War
; Japan continued its commitment to the United States.
In 1991, the bubble economy and the Soviet Union
collapsed. The 1990s and 2000s in Japan were called the "lost decade
s".
.
During the Cold War, the Liberal Democratic Party
dominated the political system. The 1990s was a period of ephemeral parties; in the 2000s the Democratic Party finally gained power.
act under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan
. In Japan, this issue still causes problems, notably Futenma.
, although traditional Japanese arts continue.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese history immediately following the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in 1945 to the present day. Before and during the war Japan was known as an empire
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
but is now officially the .
Occupation and democratization
Japan was occupied by the Allies until 28 April 1952. By the enforcement of Constitution of JapanConstitution of Japan
The is the fundamental law of Japan. It was enacted on 3 May, 1947 as a new constitution for postwar Japan.-Outline:The constitution provides for a parliamentary system of government and guarantees certain fundamental rights...
on 3 May 1947, the Empire of Japan was dissolved.
During this period of the occupation, Japan was changed to a democratic
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
state. The absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy is a monarchical form of government in which the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government, his or her power not being limited by a constitution or by the law. An absolute monarch thus wields unrestricted political power over the...
was abolished, national sovereignty
National sovereignty
National sovereignty is the doctrine that sovereignty belongs to and derives from the nation, an abstract entity normally linked to a physical territory and its past, present, and future citizens. It is an ideological concept or doctrine derived from liberal political theory...
was written to the new constitution
Constitution of Japan
The is the fundamental law of Japan. It was enacted on 3 May, 1947 as a new constitution for postwar Japan.-Outline:The constitution provides for a parliamentary system of government and guarantees certain fundamental rights...
(literally the Constitution of the State of Japan). By the Constitution of Japan from 3 May 1947, the Empire of Japan was legally dissolved, and the State of Japan was formed legally.
Democratic politics: the abolition of the secret police in October 1945, the participation of women in politics in April 1946, the Fundamental Law of Education
Fundamental Law of Education
is a Japanese law which sets the standards for the Japanese education system.- Summary :The Fundamental Law of Education, as the name suggests, is a law concerning the foundation of Japanese education. Because it acts as the basis for the interpretation and application of various laws & ordinances...
, 1947, and so on.
The prewar Japanese politicians (former empire) was convicted in the Tokyo Trial. But the supreme politician Emperor Hirohito
Hirohito
, posthumously in Japan officially called Emperor Shōwa or , was the 124th Emperor of Japan according to the traditional order, reigning from December 25, 1926, until his death in 1989. Although better known outside of Japan by his personal name Hirohito, in Japan he is now referred to...
was not convicted, and enthroned to the emperor of the new state. After the death of seven war criminals, convicted of the Tokyo Trial was restored political position. The reactionary wave is called the "reverse course
Reverse course
Reverse Course was a change in U.S. policy toward Japan during the post-World War II reconstruction.It is linked to the escalation of the Cold War, the "loss" of China and the Korean War. Whereas the occupation had been begun and the pacifist Constitution written by Rooseveltian New-Dealers, it was...
", the effect of the principles of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
. In this way, the State of Japan started under the nuclear umbrella of the United States.
After the occupation until the end of the Cold War
The end of the occupation is the San Francisco Treaty enacted on 28 April 1952. After the occupation, Japan joined the Western blocWestern Bloc
The Western Bloc or Capitalist Bloc during the Cold War refers to the powers allied with the United States and NATO against the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact...
, which is led by the United States.
In 1960, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
and Nobusuke Kishi
Nobusuke Kishi
was a Japanese politician and the 56th and 57th Prime Minister of Japan from February 25, 1957 to June 12, 1958 and from then to July 19, 1960. He was often called Shōwa no yōkai .- Early life :...
signed the Security Treaty Between the United States and Japan
Security Treaty Between the United States and Japan
The Security Treaty Between the United States and Japan was signed on 8 September 1951 in San Francisco, California between representatives of the United States and the State of Japan....
. They were enemies of each other in World War II, but returned to the alliance after the war.
During 1960 and early 1970s, Japan entered a period of rapid economic growth
Japanese post-war economic miracle
The Japanese post-war economic miracle is the name given to the historical phenomenon of Japan's record period of economic growth following World War II, spurred mainly by Japanese economic policy, in particular through the Ministry of International Trade and Industry...
. During this period, the Tokaido Shinkansen was established, and the Expo '70
Expo '70
was a World's Fair held in Suita, Osaka, Japan between March 15 and September 13, 1970. The theme of the Expo was "Progress and Harmony for Mankind." In Japanese Expo '70 is often referred to as Ōsaka Banpaku...
was held.
From 1973 to 1985, Japan entered stabilized growth. Japan's postwar cultures began to form during this period. From 1985 to 1991, the bubble economy occurred.
After the Cold War
The Revolutions of 1989Revolutions of 1989
The Revolutions of 1989 were the revolutions which overthrew the communist regimes in various Central and Eastern European countries.The events began in Poland in 1989, and continued in Hungary, East Germany, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia and...
terminated the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
; Japan continued its commitment to the United States.
In 1991, the bubble economy and the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
collapsed. The 1990s and 2000s in Japan were called the "lost decade
Lost Decade (Japan)
The is the time after the Japanese asset price bubble's collapse within the Japanese economy, which occurred gradually rather than catastrophically...
s".
Politics
The politics of postwar Japan under the Constitution of JapanConstitution of Japan
The is the fundamental law of Japan. It was enacted on 3 May, 1947 as a new constitution for postwar Japan.-Outline:The constitution provides for a parliamentary system of government and guarantees certain fundamental rights...
.
During the Cold War, the Liberal Democratic Party
Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)
The , frequently abbreviated to LDP or , is a centre-right political party in Japan. It is one of the most consistently successful political parties in the democratic world. The LDP ruled almost continuously for nearly 54 years from its founding in 1955 until its defeat in the 2009 election...
dominated the political system. The 1990s was a period of ephemeral parties; in the 2000s the Democratic Party finally gained power.
United States Forces Japan
During the postwar period, the United States Forces JapanUnited States Forces Japan
The refers to the various divisions of the United States Armed Forces that are stationed in Japan. Under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan, the United States is obliged to defend Japan in close cooperation with the Japan Self-Defense Forces for...
act under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan
Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan
The was signed between the United States and Japan in Washington, D.C. on January 19, 1960. It strengthened Japan's ties to the West during the Cold War era...
. In Japan, this issue still causes problems, notably Futenma.
Culture
Popular culture dominates the mass mediaMass media
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
, although traditional Japanese arts continue.
See also
- JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
(Details of postwar Japan) - Empire of JapanEmpire of JapanThe Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
(prewar Japan)
Preceded by: Empire of Japan Empire of Japan The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of... 1868 - 1945 | History of Japan History of Japan The history of Japan encompasses the history of the islands of Japan and the Japanese people, spanning the ancient history of the region to the modern history of Japan as a nation state. Following the last ice age, around 12,000 BC, the rich ecosystem of the Japanese Archipelago fostered human... State of Japan (Postwar Japan) 1945 - present | Succeeded by: - |