Week 4 - Riley Frederking

             By the close of 1945, Japan had seen and suffered widespread destruction of human and material resources. An estimated 3 million citizens had been killed, industrial infrastructure had been lost, and they had little to no national wealth to speak of. However, between 1950 and 1973 Japan experienced, what British economist John Maynard Keynes called, an “economic miracle” as their “Gross Domestic Product (GDP) averaged 10% growth, a rate…never before seen (“Zaibatsu”). 

   Postwar Japanese reconstruction growth and development was a result of serval components and circumstances, many a result of the Yoshida Doctrine. This doctrine had a threefold strategy “aimed at spurring and advancing Japan’s economic development” while keeping domestic defense at the lowest possible levels (Tang 119). As part of the Yoshida Doctrine, Japan provided bases for the United States military, which had the benefit of increasing security while decreasing expenditure. This strategy resulted in Japan spending only 1% of their Gross National Product on the military’s defense abilities (Pile 241). This allowed for the nation to focus on “rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure and support facilities” as well as reestablishing “Japan’s industrial and manufacturing capacities” (Tang 120). For example, “machine gun factories were converted to make sewing machines and optical weapons factories produced cameras and binoculars” (Pile 242). 

            

             Even though the Yoshida Doctrine provided a road map for economic recovery, it is Tang’s belief, and my own, that it was truly Japan’s steadfast “single-mindedness” which lead to such incredible and sustainable growth. What is even more impressive, is Japan has managed to continue growing and thriving. Just this past Wednesday, Japan’s main stock index rose to its highest level in almost 21 years and their GDP has expanded for six consecutive quarters (Soble). However there are still several facets that are preventing Japan from reaching their full potentional. Even though unemployment is at “multidecade” lows, Japan is currently facing a hefty job surplus. Japan needs to find workers, and “it needs them now” to fix a very strained labor market. Otherwise, this deficit could lead to a much larger economic problem down the road (Barron).

Question: Tang’s article and the Yoshida Doctrine gave the impression that Japan “allowed” the United States to have military bases in Japan. I wonder how much of that was coercion and insistence instead. 

Barron, Laignee. “Japan Has a Labor Crisis That Refugees Could Fix-If Only Its Government Would Let Them.” Quartz, Quartz, 6 July 2017

Egan, Matt. “Japan's Stock Market Hits 7-Year High. Can It Last?” CNNMoney, Cable News Network, 12 Nov. 2014. Digital Image. 13 Oct. 2017.

Fernandez, Chantal. “How American Style Fueled Postwar Youth Fashion In Japan.” Fashionista, 2 Dec. 2015.

Mewati, Sunny. “Japan and The Aftermath of WWII.” Quora, 21 Feb. 2015, 13 Oct. 2017.

Pile, Kenneth.  The Making of Modern Japan, 2nd ed.  Lexington, MA: D.C. Heath, 1996. Web. 12 Oct. 2017.

Soble, Jonathan. “Japan Stocks Hit 21-Year High as Investors Shrug Off Concerns.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 11 Oct. 2017. 13 Oct. 2017.

Tang, Siew Man. "Japan’s Grand Strategic Shift from Yoshida to Koizumi: Reflections on Japan’s Strategic Focus in the 21st Century."Akademika 70 (2007): 117-136.
“Zaibatsu Dissolution, Reparations and Administrative Guidance.” Seeking the Principles of Power and Danger, 15 Oct. 2008. 13 Oct. 2017.

week 4 Bin Xiao

The Yoshida Doctrine was a crucial part of rebuilding post World War II Japan. This doctrine’s namesake was Yoshida Shegiru, one of Japan’s most notable diplomats of the era -- who served as prime minister from 1946-47 to 1948-54 (Man, 2007). The first tenet of the doctrine placed Japan’s “economic rehabilitation” as the main national objective – which would require full cooperation with the US (Man, 2007, p. 118). The second tenet stressed that Japan should be only lightly armed, a strategy that would allow Japan’s resources to be used for “productive industrial development”, thereby lowering the odds of “divisive internal struggles” (Man, 2007, p. 118-119). The last cornerstone of the Yoshida Doctrine, in a diplomatic move that offered protection from Japan’s enemies, offered bases for the US air force, army, and navy (Man, 2007). Thus, the stage was set for an unprecedented economic development in Japan, fueled by American influence. Such American influence opened Japan’s door to the West in ways previously unimagined. For example, new middle-class men (and women) were outfitted in American-style clothes by notable Japanese fashion designers such as Kensuke Ishizu and his clothing line called Van Jacket, which was patterned after Ivy League style. Later, Ametora, or “American Tradition”, became the Japanese version of American-style clothing such as denim wear – in its own right (Fernandez, 2015, p. 1). Japan has become such a hotspot for fashion that the country has, in turn, influenced America, especially with the ascent of menswear blogs (Fernandez, 2015). Thus, Japan has come full circle – from being an isolated island nation to a global player in the fashion market – a major turnaround. In my opinion, Japan, by its intiative, has already achieved its own well-deserved notoriety and national aesthetics status. Certainly, there is more that can be done. For example, in the world of fashion alone, Japan could remake some of its traditional garb in the image of contemporary wear. Traditional Japanese values and textiles could be intertwined, resulting in a more global hipness for Japan in the world of fashion. Important questions about the American influence on Japan remain. For example, should Japan abandon its print fashion magazines in favor of a more internet-dominated approach?

Courtesy of Nippaku. Retrieved on 14 Oct. 2017.

References

Fernandez, C.  (02 Dec. 2015).  How American style fueled postwar youth fashion in Japan. 

Fashionista. 

Man, T.S.  Japan’s grand strategic shift from Yoshida to Koizumi: reflections on Japan’s

strategic focus in the 21^st century. Academic,70: Jan 2007, pp. 117-136.

Nippaku.  (05 May 2013).  Tokyo street fashion and Belgian designers.  Retrieved from 

https://nippaku.wordpress.com/2013/05/05/tokyo-street-fashion-and-belgian-designers/ 

Week 3 - Jaselle Abuda

Jaselle Abuda

Professor Valverde

ASA 189F

8 October 2017

Specific factors the I can identify that allowed France to remake itself is the influence of King Louis XIV and the regulation of codes that the state imposed on the people and the country. King Louis had a great impact in promoting, cultivating, and nurturing the growth of fashion, which then enriched the culture of France and later dominated the world of fashion. King Louis XIV introduced a new era of fashion that benefited the country of France by marketing and a sense of definition that France is now know for today. Industrial policies under the idea of practicularism was first introduced to help establish a sense of order and organization in the social life and governmental aspects of the country France. This ideal of maintenance of governance gave rise for standards of industrial production in the industries. The general industrial program helped establish a new number of industries through taxation and tariffs that later gave an economical boost in France’s economy, which then affected the image and status of France.

This approach of national branding may not be applicable to my nation of interest, the Philippines, due to its current political climate. President Rodrigo Duterte may not want this type of ideal of national branding the Philippines because his campaign primarily focused on the taking down crime, drugs, and corruption in the Philippines. His interests in being fully in control of the military and the passing of Martial Law may not be suitable in branding the country of the Philippines.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/08/opinion/the-philippines-contemptuous-politics.html

Week 3 - Naomi Almanzor

Question: What specific factors can you identify that allowed France to remake itself? How could this work or not work with the nation/state/area of your interest and why?

During Louis XIV’s reign and Colbert’s time in office, the dwindling amounts of gold and silver circulating in Europe led to the basis of Colbert’s plan for France: the prioritization of French exports over imports when it came to Louis XIV’s lavish possessions, and the importance of having a large following behind the purchase of these items (DeJean, 8). France had enough financial stability and technology to produce the various commodities desired by Louis XIV. France also had the ability to educate and train workers through institutions established in France. France’s absolute monarchical government system assisted as well, as it allowed for the king to have a strong influence over the population and drive the consumption of French goods.

My group and I have not fully decided on a nation at the moment, but if I were to use the Philippines in the same time period, the Philippines was under Spanish rule, and so did not have the same autonomy that France had to authorize new industries for production. The Philippines was also more agriculturally based, and so may not have had the same resources to establish factories for production, and also did not employ mercantilism as France did with Colbert (Merchant, 55).

These factors allowed the remodeling of France’s image through its creation and establishment of cafes, boutiques, the fashion industry, specialization of interior design, and others. The combination of Louis XIV’s pure passion and dedication to the high class image, Colbert’s economic expertise, and the many industries available for production drew in the French population of all classes. This led to the fulfillment of all three aspects needed for a national aesthetic and the successful shift in France’s image. The creation of new features in guidebooks and the way in which merchants learned to persuade their customers also managed to draw in and leave a good impression on foreigners as well (DeJean, 17). Based on this time period, given that the results of this image change did lead to conflict mainly in French industries, I would say having a stronger regard for industrial workers and managers and taking into account the barriers preventing the smooth establishment of new industries would be helpful (Usher, 1934).

I found that Louis XIV, the highest seat of French government at the time, being one of the main initiators and promoters of this transformation in French culture and class could be linked to how Korea’s government was the biggest driver for the focus and strengthening of culture and culture policy in Korea.

I had been aware that France was the origin of fashion and cafés, but I had no idea that interior design, the modern shop, and the current method of shopping started there as well. I also found it particularly interesting how much of France’s success relied largely on aesthetics - how products looked, how they were advertised, and the environment around them – and I think really showed just how powerful and long-lasting the effects of aesthetics can be.

My Question: Even though the high-class image seemed to be unanimously embraced, were there areas/groups that disliked the new French aesthetic itself (as opposed to the consequences of this image in the French industries, as discussed in Colbert and Governmental Control…)? If so, how did they deal with or protest against these changes?

Sources:

DeJean Joan. 2005. The Essence of Style: How the French Invented High Fashion, Fine Food, Chic Cafes, Style, Sophistication, and Glamour. Free Press: New York.

Usher, A. P. (1934, November 15). Colbert and Governmental Control of Industry in Seventeenth Century France. The Review of Economics and Statistics, Vol. 16, No. 11, pp. 237-240.

Merchant, Pranav. "Economic effects of the Spanish conquest of the Philippines and Mercantile theory." Stanford Univ Res J 9 (2012): 53-59.

Image:

http://www.impressiveinteriordesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/French-Interior-Design-Ideas-Style-And-Decoration-12.jpg