The Secret of Japan’s Modernization
and Reconstruction
1868-1945-1968-1971-1986-1989-2001-2009
Most large cities (60 cities) in Japan were
devastated by the carpet bombing in 1945.
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Super Special Express
Nozomi
runs 180 mph (since1964)
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Honda Hydrogen Car from 2012
Honda FCX Clarity: Hydrogen Engine
(Monthly Lease for 600 $ in California)
Digital Camera 84%
Ａｔｈｌｅｔｉｃ Ｍｅｅｔ in Japanese junior high schools
Uniformity, Harmony, Cooperation
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Ａｔｈｌｅｔｉｃ Ｍｅｅｔ in Japanese junior high schools
The Slogan is Self-independence, Creativity and Strong Will
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和 wa 魂 kon 洋yo 才sai
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* Education and High Literacy Rate
*和魂洋才（Wa・Kon ・Yo ・ Sai）
Japanese spirit, cultural identity
combined with Western knowledge
* Japanese Situational Ethics
1868-1945
1971
1986-2001
19892009
* Japanese Prototypes in technology,
business strategy and education based on
and developed by Wa Kon Yo Sai.
Situational Ethics：From expelling to Adoration
排外(はいがい)から拝外（はいがい）へ
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① 1853-1867
Xenophobia and fear keep foreigners out
(principle of expelling foreigners-攘夷)
② Japanese young leaders realized the Western
power and learned their wisdom and technology.
③ 1868 Meiji Restoration
和魂洋才(Wa Kon Yo Sai) Japanese Spirit combined
by Western knowledge
Every year Meiji Government employed 600
British, American, French and German Engineers.
Their pay is more than the income of Prime
Minister. Altogether ６０００ engineers and experts
were welcome from abroad.
(Ex. Textile from Lyon, France, Constitution from Germany,
Parliament from UK, Technology from US)
④1945 From Militarism to Demilitarization and
Democratization
⑤ 1971
1989
1986-2001
2009
Wa kon Yo sai (Japanese Spirit combined with Western
Knowledge) and Japanese Situational Ethics
1868: Meiji Restoration by learning Western technology, systems
and knowledge
1945: Demilitarization and Democratization for productive economy
1968: Japan became the Second largest Economy in the world next
to USA (QC: Quality Control and TQC: Total Quality Control)
1991-2001: Employing foreign presidents to learn from others
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Sony employed Sir Howard Stringer from UK. He is a British-
American businessman. In 2005 He became the Chairman and CEO
of the Sony Corporation responsible for the whole of Sony
including its media and electronics subsidiaries.
Carlos Ghosn, He is the current CEO and
President of Nissan of Japan.
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Carlos Ghosn, KBE (Arabic: ‫ ;كارلوس غصن‬born 9
March 1954) is a Brazil-born Lebanese
businessman. He is the current CEO and President
of Renault of France and Nissan of Japan. He is
largely credited with turning around .
Carols Ghosn Carlos Ghosn, the troubleshooter charged
with reviving Nissan Motor Co. (NSANY), likes to be called
the ''Icebreaker.''
From ultra-militarism
to Democratization of Japan
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Before the war
Education focused on loyalty to the
Emperor and nation state
diligence and duty
After the war
Democracy, strong economy,
security, peace and equality
Income distribution is far more
equitable than US (Dower) and
other industrial nations today.
Patterns and Prototypes
和 Wa 魂 Kon 洋 Yo 才Sai
 brought Japanese prototypes in all
fields.
 Kata, 型, 道
 Many Schools in Judo, Karate, Flower
Arrangement, calligraphy, Tea
ceremony
 Architecture, construction,
production
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What is the Secret of Japan’s Modernization?
1.The power of Education (High literacy rate
in Edo period 藩校,寺子屋）
（6 year compulsory education １８86学校令）
(9 year compulsory education 1947学校教育法)
Education and the growth of GDP 1950-1970
2. Japanese Work Ethic influenced by
Confucianism in a Learning and
Borrowing Society
3. 和 wa 魂 kon 洋yo 才sai
(Innovating Cultural Hybridity)
Japanese spirit combined with Western
knowledge, expertise and wisdom
without losing Japanese cultural
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identities = Techno-Democracy
What is the Secret of Japan’s Modernization?
4. Harmony rather than Confrontation
Coexistence of Buddhism and Shintoism
Group Harmony and group competition
for effective productivity in most Japanese
companies, schools and organizations
5.The Unification of Japan in 1603
6. Being on the periphery (Off center
concept) = Awareness of Japan as a small
island nation without natural resources
7. Pacifism except (1905-1945 Japan’s dark
age) (Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution)
8. The economic support to Japan from USA
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and