Japanese Spirit, Western Things - Essay Example

The Economist Special Report ‘Japanese Spirit, Western Things’, outlines Japan’s relationship with the West (particularly the USA) following Commander Perry’s command that the country ‘open up to world trade in 1853.

There can be no doubt that Japan’s economic modernization has been a huge success.

Unlike China, where the Confucian order was strong enough to inhibit change, Japan was able to ‘use the barbarian to control the barbarian.’ (Beasley, 1972, P1) In economic terms, this has been a spectacular success. In a little more than a century Japan moved from being a backward, feudal country little different from most contemporary third world countries in terms of what it could provide for its people; by 2001 it was one of the richest countries in the world. Japan’s political, financial, and business leaders have presided over what Randal Morck and Bernard Yeung of the University of Singapore’s Business School characterize ‘probably the greatest “rags to riches” story in the history of the world.’ (Morck & Yeung, n.d.)

            The ‘Western Things’, however, were not adopted by sacrificing the ‘Japanese Spirit’. Japan had learned earlier in her history, through her dealings with Imperial China, how to ‘control the aperture through which new ideas and practices streamed in.’ (The Economist Special Report, 2003). The Japanese people have maintained their distinct ways of speaking and interacting and doing business which has helped maintain harmony and facilitate progress. Culturally, Japan remains distinct, however, these traditions or old ways do come at a cost, for example, competition in domestic sectors is restricted and inefficient sectors are supported by government subsidies. This may not be sustainable in the long term. Japan’s leaders, as well as protecting cultural traditions, have also used western technology to ‘shield them from the political competition and protect their interests’ (The Economist, Special Report, 2003). Deregulation of the internal economy would cause undoubted pain to small businesses and potentially undermine the politicians, who have been protected from competition in their sphere by financial independence – Japan is one of the few countries not reliant on international capital.

            However, no country is immune to natural disasters. The earthquake, tsunami, and subsequent nuclear accident that struck the Pacific coast of Tohoku in March 2011, has revealed both fault lines and unforeseen strengths in Japanese society. Specifically, the nuclear crisis has revealed the corrupting influence of Japan’s nuclear power program and major utilities such as Tokyo Electric Power; whilst the government has been criticized for setting arbitrary limits on limits on radiation and food safety and for ‘out of touch arrogance’ (Briefing, The Economist, 2011). However, the crisis did reveal seams of strength, heroism, and community spirit, particularly in the regions. Local leaders have spoken out at the country’s authorities for failing to come to their aid. The crisis has also focused attention on little-known regions which have surprising economic potential and strength – for example, Tohoku has a GDP the size of Argentina (Briefing, The Economist, 2011). These regions need investment to rebuild and will inevitably look to the central government – perhaps beyond Japan, for support. Prime Minister Kan accepted humanitarian support from the US military following the crisis, an unprecedented move despite the long-term military alliance between the two countries. Commander Perry’s initial forays for the USA into Japan had wider motivation than just trade – it was seen as a way to open up China and create security in the Pacific. Consolidating these goals is still at the forefront of US concerns and can only be strengthened by closer relations following the earthquake. However real recovery (and the potential for political change) in Japan will come from the Japanese people themselves. “Like ants in an anthill,” says Seiichiro Yonekura, professor of innovation at Hitotsubashi University, ‘Japanese society will get to work’ (Briefing, The Economist, 2011), just as they built Hiroshima and Nagasaki following the world’s greatest atomic destruction. Perhaps this is the true ‘Japanese Spirit.’