Japan - Country
Compare/Contrast Democracy in Japan vs. USA
Both countries have recently elected new leadership.
This includes the democratic Obama administration
in the U.S. and the Democratic Party of Japan’s (DPJ)
win over the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) with
Hatayoma and Ozawa taking the helm. Japan’s
monumental change in the ruling Democratic Party is
being termed Democracy 2.0 [1].
US/UN -Nation Building and the role of Japan
There are a number of lessons learned from the US led Nation
building of Japan.
o Democracy can be transferred to non-Western societies.
o How responsibility for the war is assigned can affect internal
political dynamics and external relations for years to come.
o Co-opting existing institutions can facilitate nation-building better
than building new ones from scratch.
o Unilateral nation-building can be easier than multilateral efforts.
o Concentrating the power to make economic policy decisions in the
hands of a single authority can facilitate economic recovery.
o Delegating implementation of economic policy decisions to local
governing elites, with their own priorities, can significantly dilute the
effectiveness of changes.
General MacArthur led the reconstructions efforts and “all executive power
was transferred from the emperor and sovereignty was given to the people
through elections to both houses of parliament. Almost overnight Japan
changed from a military dictatorship to a constitutional monarchy. The
Japanese turned the devotion to duty, which was shown in their armed
forces, to industrial and economic revival.” [2, 3]
General Douglas MacArthur
and Emperor Hirohito, at their
first meeting, at the U.S.
Embassy, Tokyo, 27 September,
1945
Photo by U.S. Army photographer
Lt. Gaetano Faillace
Relationship With China
From an economic standpoint, China and Japan are significant
trade partners. “In 2008, China-Japan trade grew to $266.4
billion, a rise of 12.5 percent on 2007, making China Japan's top
two-way trade partner. China was also the second biggest
destination for Japanese exports in 2008 with Japanese exports
to China totaling $124.2 billion, up 13.8 percent.” [4] Politically,
China and Japan have recently concluded the Treaty of Peace
and Friendship between Japan and the People’s Republic of
China although there have certainly been tensions and even war
in the past between these two great countries.
Role of Japan’s Military
“Japan is in the unusual position of being a major world economic and
political power, with an aggressive military tradition, resisting the
development of strong armed forces. A military proscription is included as
Article 9 of the 1947 constitution stating, "The Japanese people forever
renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of
force as a means of settling international disputes." That article, along with
the rest of the "Peace Constitution," retains strong government and citizen
support and is interpreted as permitting the Self-Defense Forces (SDF), but
prohibiting those forces from possessing nuclear weapons or other
offensive arms or being deployed outside of Japan.” [5]
Japan SelfDefense Forces
日本国自衛隊
Social Welfare and National Debt
Japan’s economy is facing a serious issue attributed to a rising
national debt and an aging population. In fact, “gross government
debt is at 180% of GDP, the highest for an industrial country” [6].
The aging population will become less productive with the current
birth rates maintained. The funds to support the burgeoning social
welfare requirements will continue to be a challenge even if GDP
increases.
Is the Government Pro-Business?
“Although Japan's economic development is primarily the
product of private entrepreneurship, the government has
directly contributed to the nation's prosperity. Its actions have
helped initiate new industries, cushion the effects of economic
depression, create a sound economic infrastructure, and
protect the living standards of the citizenry. Indeed, so
pervasive has government influence in the economy seemed
that many foreign observers have popularized the term "Japan
Inc." to describe its alliance of business and government
interests. There is little doubt that government agencies
continue to influence the economy through a variety of
policies.” [7]
Importance of Technology To Japan
• Japan is well known for its automotive and electronics industries throughout
the world, and Japanese electronic products account for a large share in the
world market. Japan is one of the leading nations in the fields of scientific
research, technology, machinery and medical research with the world's third
largest budget for research and development at $130 billion USD, and over
677,000 researchers. Japan has received the most science Nobel prizes in Asia
• Some of Japan's more important technological contributions are found in
the fields of electronics, machinery, robotics, optics, chemicals,
semiconductors and metals. Japan leads the world in robotics, possessing
more than half (402,200 of 742,500) of the world's industrial robots used for
manufacturing. Japan is also home to six of the world's fifteen largest
automobile manufacturers and seven of the world's twenty largest
semiconductor sales leaders. Japan is also considered to have one of the
most advanced trains, notably the Shinkansen and maglev trains.
In 2003, the maglev MLX01 reached 581km/h. [8]
Globalization – Japan’s SWOT
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
1.
Efficient manufacturing
1.
Limited natural resources
system
2.
Political and industrial
2.
Technology
corruption
3.
Well educated work force
3.
Bureaucracy
4.
Disciplined work ethic
4.
High government relative to
5.
Strong culture
GDP
Opportunities:
Threats:
1.
1.
Improved partnership with
China and India
2.
3.
“Green” technology
Aging population/low birth
rate
2.
Political and industrial
development
corruption
Empowerment of women from 3.
North Korean
traditional gender roles
political/military instability
What Is The Size Of Japan’s Economy Relative To Other
Countries?
Japan and China are
respectively the world's
second and third-largest
economies. [ 9]
Japan’s Industries Consist of Which Primary Sectors?
Japan is among the world's largest and technologically
advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic
equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals,
ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods. Multinational
corporations include Fuji, Sony, Sharp, Toshiba, Toyota,
Honda, and Nissan to name a few. [10]
Biggest Import/Export Partners
Imports - partners:
China 20.5%, US 11.6%, Saudi Arabia 5.7%, UAE 5.2%, Australia
5%, South Korea 4.4%, Indonesia 4.2%.
Exports - partners:
US 20.4%, China 15.3%, South Korea 7.6%, Taiwan 6.3%, Hong
Kong 5.4% [11]
Japanese Currency
The Yen (¥). The yen (円 en?) (sign: ¥; code: JPY) is the currency of Japan.
It is the third most-traded currency in the foreign exchange market after
United States dollar and the euro.[1] It is also widely used as a reserve
currency after the U.S. dollar, the euro and the pound sterling. [12]
USD EUR GBP
JPY
CAD AUD CHF RUB CNY ZAR MXN
1 USD 1.000 0.665 0.610 91.97 1.052 1.078 1.008 29.00 6.828 7.468 12.97
=
00
90
17
02
08
08
04
70
26
98
Invers 1.000 1.501 1.638 0.010 0.949 0.927 0.991 0.034 0.146 0.133 0.077 Series D 2000 yen note
e:
00
73
89
87
70
57
98
48
44
90
04
1 EUR 1.501 1.000 0.916 138.1 1.581 1.618 1.513 43.55 10.25 11.21 19.49
=
73
00
31
15
27
99
87
08
49
53
22
Invers 0.665 1.000 1.091 0.007 0.632 0.617 0.660 0.022 0.097 0.089 0.051
e:
90
00
33
24
40
67
56
96
51
16
30
1 GBP 1.638 1.091 1.000 150.7 1.725 1.766 1.652 47.52 11.19 12.23 21.27
=
89
33
00
29
69
85
14
84
15
97
25
Invers 0.610 0.916 1.000 0.006 0.579 0.565 0.605 0.021 0.089 0.081 0.047
e:
17
31
00
63
48
98
28
04
35
70
01
Baldrige (U.S.) versus Deming (Japan) awards - which is
more prestigious?
Deming Prize
The Deming Prize is Japan’s national quality award for industry. It was established
in 1951 by the Japanese Union of Scientists and engineers (JUSE) and it was named after W.
Edwards Deming. He brought statistical quality control methodology to Japan after W.W.II. The
Deming Prize is the world’s oldest and most prestigious of such awards. Its principles are a
national competition to seek out and commend those organizations making the greatest
strides each year in quality, or more specifically, TQC. The prize has three award categories.
They are Individual person, the Deming Application Prizes, and the Quality Control Award for
factory.
Baldrige Award
The Baldrige Award was established in 1987 to promote quality awareness,
understand the requirements for quality excellence, and share information about successful
quality strategies and benefits. There are three eligibility categories: manufacturing, services,
and small firms. Unlike the Deming Prize, public or not-for-profit organizations are not
qualified. According to its principles, the role of quality data collection and analysis as the
basis for managerial decisions is paramount. Furthermore, quality efforts should not
concentrate only on the elimination of defects but also encompass creative
activities that will influence customer satisfaction. Among Baldrige winners,
there are no service companies. [13]
State of Nation’s Infrastructure
“For all the glittering bridges and high-speed trains, investment
in big projects in Japan has long been poorly directed, costly, and
riddled with the worst excesses of pork barrel politics.
Remarkably, for all the trillions of yen thrown at infrastructure
projects in Japan, highway mileage per capita or compared to
land area is about average among the major developed
economies. While finished projects are nearly always impressive
and well-maintained, there aren't nearly enough of them relative
to the huge bill footed by the taxpayer. The roads are smooth,
but the supply is bad, despite a remarkable spending record,
which is an indication of serious corruption." [14]
What Are The Biggest Issues Facing Japan?
Public debt, aging population, low-birth rate, diminished culture due
to Western influence on Japan’s youth, and corruption. [15]
What Are The Primary Ethnic Groups
• The Japanese people (日本人 Nihonjin, Nipponjin?) are the predominant ethnic group
of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of
these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry
who live in other countries are referred to as nikkeijin (日系人?).
• In 2005, a United Nations special on racism and xenophobia expressed concerns about
"deep and profound" racism in Japan and insufficient government recognition of the
problem. Doudou Diène (UN Commission on Human Rights), concluded after an
investigation and nine-day tour of Japan that racial discrimination and xenophobia in
Japan primarily affects three groups: national minorities, descendants of former
Japanese colonies and foreigners from other Asian countries. In spite of the widespread
belief that Japan is ethnically homogeneous, it is probably more accurate to describe it
as a multiethnic society. [15]
Issues of Gender roles
• Modern Japanese women often experience an internal conflict between their
traditional roles and their current role as their current role need a change of the
Japanese culture. They feel guilty and think of themselves as selfish while failing
their duty as wife and mother while chasing a good job opportunity in the
workforce.
• The Japanese culture is very traditional and can still be seen on the street but
also in a business environment. There is a lot of respect for older people and
people with a higher rank. Also conforming to group norms and putting needs of
others ahead of self are highly valued. With respect to gender issues: Japanese
women are trained by their mothers from early age to “make the best of
whatever life gives”, and this is what they do. Japanese women do not complain,
they just make the best out of life.
• The patriarchal family system in Japan demands that women should obey men,
that the young women should obey the old, and that daughters-in-law should
obey mothers-in-law. Men on the other hand are pampered by their mothers
and they expect the same treatment from their wives. Next to this long working
hours are expected from the companies people work for, mainly men with full
time jobs. This makes it hard for men to help out at home as they are almost
never home, leaving the childcare and housekeeping to their wife. [16]
Limited Geographical Space
“The mountainous islands of the Japanese Archipelago
form a crescent off the eastern coast of Asia. They are
separated from the mainland by the Sea of Japan, which
historically served as a protective barrier. Japan's insular
nature, together with the compactness of its main
territory and the cultural homogeneity of its people,
enabled the nation to remain free of outside domination
until its defeat in World War II. The country consists of
four principal islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and
Kyushu; more than 3,000 adjacent islands and islets.”
[17] The geographical limitations have likely shaped the
Japanese traditions on social etiquette and focus on
conservation.
Advantages of Educational Systems In Japan
• The schooling years in the Japanese education system are segmented along the lines of 6-3-3-4:
6 years of primary or elementary school; 3 years of middle or junior high school; 3 years of high
school; and 4 years of university. to elementary schools.
• The elementary school curriculum covers Japanese, social studies, mathematics, science, music,
arts and handicrafts, homemaking and physical education. At this stage, much time and emphasis
is given to music, fine arts and physical education.
• The middle curriculum includes Japanese, mathematics, social studies, science, English, music,
art, physical education, field trips, clubs and homeroom time. Students now receive instruction
from specialist subject teachers. The pace is quick and instruction is text-book bound because
teachers have to cover a lot of ground in preparation for high-school entrance examinations.
• High schools adopt highly divergent high school curricula, the content may contain general or
highly specialized subjects depending on the different types of high schools.
High schools may be classed into one of the following types:
-Elite academic high schools collect the best of the student population and send
the majority of its graduates to top national universities.
- Non-elite academic high schools prepare students for less prestigious universities
or junior colleges. These schools constitute mainstream high schooling.
-Vocational High Schools that offer courses in commerce, technical subjects,
agriculture, home science, nursing and fishery.
- Correspondence High Schools offers a flexible form of schooling for 1.6% of
high school students .
- Evening High School which used to offer classes to poor
but ambitious students who worked while trying to remedy their
educational deficiencies. [18]
Definition of Physical Fitness vs. USA
Japan considers physical fitness to include both body and mind.
The discussion of health, or Genki in Japan, means not only to
be in good physiological health but to be well-adjusted,
enthusiastic, self-sufficient, and passionate”. [19] The U.S. is
primarily focused on the physical side of fitness and generally
do not have the same discipline as the Japanese.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAyj0T5HZBs
Japanese Music
There are several types of traditional, Japanese music (hogaku). Some of the
most important ones are listed below [20] with links of sample music
provided for select categories [21]:
•Gagaku: Ancient court music from China and Korea. It is the oldest type of
Japanese, traditional music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFErNl3FvM4
•Biwagaku:
Music played with the Biwa, a kind of guitar with four strings.
•Nohgaku:
Music played during Noh performances. It basically consists of a
chorus, the Hayashi flute, the Tsuzumi drum, and other instruments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5UK_uxcQRs
•Sokyoku:
Music played with the Koto, a type of zither with 13 strings. Later
also accompanied by Shamisen and Shakuhachi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJrDFKaM-Mk
References
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Clemons, Steven (2009). New America Foundation. 'Negotiated Nationalism' in
Japan's Democracy 2.0, Retrieved October 15, 2009 from
http://www.newamerica.net/publications/articles/2009/negotiated_nationalism_ja
pans_democracy_2_0_17593
Dobbins, James (2003). Rand McNally. America’s Role In Nation-Building, Retrieved
October 15, 2009 from
http://www.mediatimesreview.com/february05/nationbuilding.php
Black, Jeremy (2002). Encyclopedia of World History (pg. 47). Parragon Publishing
Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved October 16, 2009 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People's_Republic_of_China_%E2%80%93_Japan_relat
ions
Global Security. Retrieved October 17, 2009 from
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/japan/intro.htm
Chacko, Sunil (2008). The New Japanese Government, Debt and a Way Ahead.
Retrieved October 17, 2009 from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sunil-chacko/thenew-japanese-governme_b_128495.html
Country Studies. Retrieved October 17, 2009 from
http://country-studies.com/japan/the-economy---the-role-of-government-andbusiness.html
Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved October 16, 2009 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_and_technology_in_Japan
New York Times. Retrieved October 17, 2009 from
http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2009/10/02/business/global/02yengraphic.rea
dy.html
References
References:
10. 2009 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved October
16, 2009 from http://www.theodora.com/wfbcurrent/japan/japan_economy.html
11. Trading Economics. Retrieved October 25, 2009 from
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/Economics/Balance-Of-Trade.aspx?Symbol=JPY
12. Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved October 18, 2009 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Yen
13. George Mason University. Retrieved October 18, 2009 from
www.gwu.edu/~umpleby/mgt201/201-14(demingvsbaldrige).doc
14. Rowley, Ian (2007). BusinessWeek. Japan’s Pricey Public Works. Retrieved October 18, 2009
from http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/aug2007/gb20070814_141846.htm
15. Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved October 18, 2009 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_issues_in_Japan
16. Wikibooks Open Books For An Open World. Retrieved October 17, 2009 from
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Global_Issues:_Japan/Gender_Issues
17. Coutsoukis, Photius (2009). Japan Geographic Regions. Retrieved October 17, 2009 from
http://www.photius.com/countries/japan/geography/japan_geography_geographic_region
s.html
18. Education in Japan. Retrieved October 18, 2009 from http://www.education-injapan.info/sub1.html
19. Harris, Kristen (2004). Working Out in Japan: Shaping the Female Body in Tokyo Fitness
Clubs. Retrieved October 21, 2009 from
http://www.erudit.org/revue/ethno/2004/v26/n1/013349ar.pdf
20. Japan Guide. Retrieved October 18, 2009 from http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2113.html
21. YouTube. Retrieved October 18. 2009 from www.youtube.com