The History of Japanese Economic Development Origins of Private Dynamism and Policy Competence

• Main Author: Ohno, Kenichi
• Format: eBook
• Language: English
• Published: United Kingdom Routledge 2018; Taylor and Francis; No Funder Information Available; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis Group
• Edition: 1
• Subjects: Asian History; Banks and banking; Book Industry Communication; Business & management; Development economics; Economic development; Economic History; Economics, finance, business & management; Elementary education; History; Industrial policies; Japan; Japan's stagnant growth; Japanese Business; Japanese economic development; Japanese Economics; Japanese economy; Microeconomics; Political Economy; Japanese economic development; SME Loan; SME Support; Priority Production System; Vice Versa; Bretton Woods Fixed Exchange Rate; Liaodong Peninsula; Meiroku Zasshi; Shidehara Diplomacy; Kobu Daigakko; SME Policy; Great Kanto Earthquake; Woods Fixed Exchange Rate System; Japan China War; Osaka Spinning; Rikken Seiyukai; Meiji Industrialization; Manufacturing SMEs; Matsukata Deflation; Japan Russia War; Japanese SMEs; Japanese economy; Industrial policies; West Germany; Japan's stagnant growth; Development economics; Minsei Party; Microeconomics; Late Edo Period; Private Dynamism; Yen Dollar Exchange Rate
• ISBN: 9781315444031; 1315444038; 9781138215399; 9781138215429; 1138215392; 1138215422; 1315444046; 9781315444048
• DOI: 10.4324/9781315444048

This is an easy-to-read book that explains how and why Japan industrialized rapidly. It traces historical development from the feudal Edo period to high income and technology in the current period. Catch-up industrialization is analyzed from a broad perspective including social, economic and political aspects. Historical data, research and contesting arguments are amply supplied. Japan’s unique experience is contrasted with the practices of today’s developing countries. Negative aspects such as social ills, policy failures, military movements and war years are also covered. Nineteenth-century Japan already had a happy combination of strong entrepreneurship and relatively wise government, which was the result of Japan’s long evolutionary history. Measured contacts with high civilizations of China, India and the West allowed cumulative growth without being destroyed by them. Imported ideas and technology were absorbed with adjustments to fit the local context. The book grew out of a graduate course for government officials from developing countries. It offers a comprehensive look and new insights at Japan’s industrial path that are often missing in standard historical chronicles. Written in an accessible and lively form, the book engages scholars as well as novices with no prior knowledge of Japan.