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Lucia Ruiz Amador

Robert J Pekkanen

JSIS A 242

14 February 2022

Japan’s transformations

Japan throughout its history has had several changes, these changes have a range from being

drastically different to being similar. This can be said about any country really, but Japan offers a

transformation that reveals these similarities and differences of change in a unique way.

Specifically, the transformation of the 1990s compared to the Meiji Restoration and the

Occupation. Upon viewing these three major transformations, one can find that there are many

themes they have in common, but none have a bigger impact than politics and economics. Both

themes, which influenced many different time periods in Japan’s history, have a significant

impact on these specific time periods.

The Meiji Restoration, which began with Emperor Meiji being restored to the throne in 1868

(Meiji Restoration, January 5, 2022), was one of Japan’s biggest transformations. Echos of

similar changes that would occur in the future can be found during this period, specifically,

political echos. Many times, throughout history, the common theme of politics can be found.

During the Meiji Restoration, while seen in a positive light, also has its dark side, not everyone

liked the Meiji Restoration. One of the many political changes that can be seen during this time

is the transformation of the Samurai class. Due to the hereditary system, there would be “deep

discontent among able lower-ranking warriors, who felt unjustly cut off from higher office”

(Pyle, pg. 67). Apart from these activists being lower in rank, they were also younger, which

meant that in a way they were representatives of a generation that wanted to provide Japan with

new leadership in the aftermath of the Meiji Restoration. Thought due to their involvement in
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plots and conspiracies, resorting to violence and having terrible temperament, many of these men

were known as Shishi (men of spirit) (Pyle, pg. 68). During the 1990s, there would also be many

political changes. Pyle words the transition during these different transformations due to

“Japan[‘s] motivat[ion] [of its] insecurity, both physical and cultural, and by ambition for

national power, respect, and equality” (Pyle, pg. 181). Much like lower-ranking samurai’s

discontent with the hereditary system, in Japan during the 1990s did not want to Americanize.

They believed in the existing system, had strong vested interest in the system – the elite

salarymen, small businesses, farmers, construction firms and workers, and homeowners.

Additionally, there was a conformity of the system to broader social norms and expectations.

(Regime Change & Bubble Burst, February 7, 2022). Though this would not last, not only was

the bubble burst a significant event that occurred and impacted Japan, but the change in regimen

would also affect this type of thinking. This change can be seen in the 55’ system to 94’ system,

with the introduction of many political parties (as well as size of them), with many differences

from then to now (The 94’ system, February 9, 2022). As for the Occupation period, a political

change that occurred that was on the same level as the changing of systems and upset lower-

ranking Samuri's was the public change after the Occupation. From propaganda dehumanizing

Japan made of the US to having their political institutions reconstructed (Pacific War &

Occupation, January 19, 2022), Japan would never be the same. Along with the New

constitution, which at the time was more liberal that the US constitution, would affect the

relationship citizens of Japan had with authority figures. This notable change can be seen when

the emperor is not executed and left alive (Pacific War & Occupation, January 19, 2022).

Though it may seem that these political events from these three different periods have nothing to

do with each other, they all reflected a change so drastic, that it would alter the way Japan

operated. From the way citizens would form relationships with authority figures despite having
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similar occupations, to the change in mindsets during two different periods. The same can be

said about economics and the various impacts

Economics during these three periods, Meiji Restoration, Occupation, and the 1990s all

impacted Japan just as equally as the politics of those periods. Out of the three periods, the Meiji

restoration has the “biggest” economic growth, though positive. During this period, there would

be a growth in population; from 33.1 million around the middle of the 1800s to 41 million by the

end of the 1800s (Meiji Restoration, January 5, 2022). There was also growth in manufacturing

and agriculture production during this period, an overall positive growth. As for the Occupation,

it also has its own growth, but not in the same boom the Meiji period had. There was a big land

reform in 1946, that would be an enormous success. The idea was that independent land

ownership would be seen as good, this would lead to a stable democracy and no revolutions. The

reason for barely any conflicts, SCAP (the Supreme commander of allied powers, which was US

dominated) limited the amount of land that could be owned, 2 ½ acres if rented and 7 ½ acres if

self-farmed (Pacific War & Occupation, January 19, 2022). Though it was not the same boom as

the Meiji economic growth, it was still growth, nevertheless. The 1990s would take a complete

180 when it came to economic growth, having a negative growth. As the saying goes, “what goes

up, must come down,” Japan's fast-growing economy would soon see a major bump in the road,

or in this case the bubble. Bubble are natural, it can be seen in the Dutch Tulip Mania of 1626-7

(Regime Change & Bubble Burst, February 7, 2022). It was only a matter of time before Japan’s

growing bubble would burst. There are many reasons why a bubble may occur, as previously

mentioned Japan did not want to Americanize, this would be part of the reason the bubble

occurred. The system soured, the dual economy Japan, after a prolonged period, could no longer

have its more efficient sectors sustain the less, ending the growth and starting a hollowing out

(Regime Change & Bubble Burst, February 7, 2022). As politics and economics are hand in
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hand, what affects one will affect the other in a domino effect. The LDP were unwilling to let

small firms fail, protecting inefficient sectors. By 1998, LDP gave 30 trillion yen (about 300

billion USD) to a credit guarantee plan for small companies (Regime Change & Bubble Burst,

February 7, 2022).

The transformation of the 1990s compared to earlier periods of transformation had an

equal, if not greater transformation. Though it may seem that the earlier periods had a better

transformation, it only really laid the foundation for the transformation of the 1990s. Without the

political changes and economic growths Japan had during the Meiji Restoration and Occupation,

then the transformation of the 1990s may have never occurred. Of course, one cannot discredit

the various significant changes both politically and economically both earlier periods had,

however it was thanks to these changes that allowed for the Japan's 1990s to be what it was.

Other earlier periods contributed to the foundation the 1990s Japan had, however it is

specifically the Meiji Restoration and Occupation, and the unique timeline these periods had that

allowed the1990s to manifest its transformation.

Total words: 1,196

I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid in the writing of this essay. Lucia Ruiz
Amador. February 14th, 2022.