Japan is a fascinating country. It consists of 1415 Islands out of which 430 islands are updated. Out of which, four are main Islands and most populous in Japan , all these islands house millions of people. What makes this country unique is the determination, culture and resolve. It’s amazing and fascinating how these hundreds of small islands are interconnected like a pearl necklace by the Japanese and make it the most powerful nation of the world . Today, it is the marvel of engineering /technology and the most modern country in the 21st century. Japan exhibits not only the modernism but symbolizes the cultural heritage as well. The combination in the past and present is fascinating and worth study. Take any department of science and technology right up to 21st century , the Japanese have excelled themselves in each field . Japan is a shining example how determination can in the world of science and technology open the doors of progress and prosperity. Before we go further and examine the modern fundamentals of the growth of the Japan, it important to and study the history of Japan
The scholars have divided the Japanese history three distinct phases , first the ancient Japan is the period between 38,000 to 40,000 years ago , the evidence of the first Homo sapiens arrival in Japan is visible in that period. They came by sea . Human habitation traces are available in year 32000 years ago, Okinawa Yamashita caves. Later evidence emerged up 20,000 years ago Santabarbara Caves . Jamon period span between 1300-1000 years ago , followed by Yayoi and Kofun periods between years 538 -250. The ancient human population exhibited exceptional progress in the field of agriculture, shipping , pottery and fabrics. Research reflects a sophisticated cultural heritage end aesthetic sense in the art of making the pottery interestingly is still in vogue even with the modern machinery. The periods of these ancient times reflect the growth of tribal affinities. Rise of the Kingdoms and inter tribal fighting . It reflects the progressive growth of the Japanese society especially the human sagacity, intelligence and overcoming the resources of nature by Japanese people. Their growth even in ancient times Is spectacular even comparable with Mesopotamia and Europe. The ancient Japanese period is of consolidation of the various tribes in to kingdoms and eventually the emergence of the Japanese rule of emperors.
As discussed, the foundation of pre modernism was laid well in times of ancient growth of Japanese society and governance. The early modern Japanese period extends between 1600 AD to 1868. It is known as Edo period. In this the emperors maintained a very tight control on population and is known for suppression in case of any dissent. Japanese Emperors through tight control by Tokugawa Shogunate. Tokugawa Leasu, who was a Japanese samurai and considered founder and first shogun which ruled from the year 1603 until Maji restoration. He is considered one of 3rd unifiers of Japanese Society at the time of Megi restoration .His former lord was ODA , subordinate to Yoto mi Hyde you Shi. . He was a vessel and General , he gathered strength under Nobunaga. He received his title in 1600 AD . He resigned after five years but continued to have complete control of the government machinery. He is responsible to craft rules known as Bakuhan System. It was a system of rewards and punishments within the system thus daimyo and samurai lived in Peace , under the control of Tokugawa Shogunate .
Shoguns rule , the period between 1180 to 1868 is known the period of military rulers generally known as Kamakura. Due to maintenance of strict discipline in the Japanese society they laid the foundation of the modern Japan in the 19th century. The fundamentals of growth of the Japanese are basically three, first the government guidance, second the private sector dynamics and the third the cultural commitment of the Japanese nation. The triangular thread is the most important component, if one has to understand, the nature of the Japanese nation . Task for every individual is of prime importance even at the peril of the life of a person. The element of self sacrifice is deeply engrained in the common man and in case he or she does not perform , they do not hesitate to take their own life. It is a unique quality in any nation .
It was hard work and determination which in 19th century enabled Japan to become a military power in early 20th century. There’s no doubt the victories the Japanese gathered in the first part of the war was due to their hard work, determination and a clear-cut military strategy . The national and the military strategy exhibited by the Japanese in the first part of you Second World War reflected the genes the nation inherited. It was only barbarous act of dropping atom bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima by USA which forced Japan to capitulate to avoid further genocide. The terms of surrender were very harsh on the Japanese. The country was controlled by the Americans and sizable forces were stationed which still are in Japan after 60 years. Even the first budget after the war was authored by the Americans known as Dodge Budget (the dodge line )implemented in 1949 to control hyper inflation ,, advised by American Financial Advisor , Joseph Dodge. Who laid the foundation or the future planning. It required balance between expenditure and tax revenue.(a lesson for todays Pakistan ).It kept yen at 360. For 20 years cheap exports were the target. Korean war was a boom for the Japanese industry and they received massive orders in the field of automobiles, textiles electronics worth about 3 billion US dollars in those days. This miracle occurred under the security umbrella provided by the Americans and allowed Japanese to spend only less than one percent on the defence, due to strict commitment to structural reforms and shift in the international politics of Japan , Japanese neutrality enabled it to concentrate all resources on the development of Japan, not only the rebuilding of infrastructure destroyed during world war, but to prepare the country for 21st century. Science and Technology were given special attention with emphasis on quality production and cheap cost of production to meet international competition. Domestic reforms enabled to get rid of mafias and industrial conglomerates (Zaibatsu). These were transformed to Keiretsu, Banks central groups. The government policies aimed at to reduce hold of giants like Toyota, Nissan , etc. on the formulation of policies.( history of Japan)
In the social spectrum the most prominent aspect of the Japanese life is the life of simplicity and courtesy. Although there are claims that during Second World War Japanese treatment with the prisoners was cruel . But when we compare it with the other powers who played their role in Second World War like Russian and American forces, the treatment of prisoners by them more or less were same . The Japanese society embody a very rich cultural heritage dating back to 5000 years and preserved even today . It is a marvel they have created in Japan.
The recent shift in international geo politics and tensions in South China sea , North Korean threat has forced to remilitarize Japan. Its current Budget is at 2%. China has become the hub of engineering , manufacturing and technology power house , forcing Japan to reassess its approach in international geo political Irina. Some powers view remilitarisation of Japan with cation.
