Social Reforms in Post-War Japan
Social Reforms in Post-War Japan
Introduction
In the aftermath of World War II, Japan was eager and anxious for social stability, security, and aversion towards uncertainty (Gluck, 1998). This was a desire similar to the expectations of western European countries. The story of Japan since the war is impressive and inspiring. Japan worked itself out of the devastations of the war, abject defeat, and spiritual bankruptcy. It defied the odds and has become the most rich, the most rich, stable, and respected country. The country experienced downturns and blooms, consensus and discord. The paper provides an overview of the history of post-war Japan. It describes the history of Japan and the equilibrium, in terms of the rapid and profound changes enjoyed, endured, and embraced over the past decades.
Social Reforms
Geographically, Japan is a tiny set of islands. However, its performance in the global economy since the war is enormous (Ibid). Japan has a higher national product than Italy and France, though trailing countries such as Canada, Brazil, and the United States. In terms of the size of national military, it is incomparable to the might of China and the United States. In terms of foreign aid, Japan is leading trailed by the United States.
Despite the geographical size, Japan is comparable to the global economic powers. Japan is a modern society. Japan’s variant modern society comprises democratic political system of governance based on representative, parliamentary government, a capitalistic economy, a broad middle class as the foundation for democracy and capitalism and active participation in international relations of power.
Japan is different in terms of capitalism, democracy, and size of the middle class (Ibid). In relation to capitalism, Japan’s system involves a higher participation of government in the private sector. In Japan, democracy reflects coequal access to resources. This is fundamental and facilitates sharing of social benefits among people. Social well- being is more valuable than politics or voting. Society is primary and fundamental for integrating social relationships in the community, workplace, and family.
Japan also shows progress in the sense that its middle class has a high proportion to the total population than many countries. 98 percent of the country comprises the middle class (Gluck, 1998). This is a social fairy tale that underlines social and economic indifference. It is evident that people are benefiting from the social reforms as was the goal of implementation of social change, in Japan.
Although Japan experienced cultural instability because of Chinese, Korean, and Hindu influence in the sixth seven, and eight centuries, it shaped up and developed into a strong national and cultural identity. Social change is also incremental, and the country is reorienting and realigning itself towards Asia. The most significant definition of post-war Japan is that it is a global economic. Its socioeconomic progress identifies Japan on the world map.
Conclusion
The goal of Japan’s post-war social reforms was to improve the social well-being of the general population. The people of Japan benefitted from social empowerment implemented to redevelop the country after the war. In general, the country has a stronger economy, national identity, 98% middle class, democracy, and strong society. In view of this, Japan’s social empowerment and uniqueness in approaching globalization are crucial in continued socioeconomic progress.
Reference
Gluck, C. (1998). “Top Ten Things to Know About Japan in the Late 1990s”. Education about Asia, 3(2). Retrieved from, http://www.asian studies.org/EAA/gluck.htm
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