Showa Period: War, Reconstruction, and the High Economic Growth

(1926 - 1989)

- Prologue: The Dawn of the Turbulent Showa Period

Showa was the longest era in Japanese history (1926-1989), during which Japan underwent dramatic transformations.

First Half (Pre-war & Wartime): Rise of militarism, entry into war, and defeat.

Second Half (Post-war): Reconstruction, high economic growth, the prosperity and collapse of the bubble economy.

This era was truly a "turbulent period," a story of Japan overcoming hardships and growing through them.

 

- Chapter 1: The Path to War—The Rise of Militarism and Entry into Conflict

- Social Conditions in Early Showa

At the beginning of the Showa era, Japan faced severe economic depression and political turmoil.

In 1929, the Great Depression in the United States had a devastating impact on Japan’s export industries. Unemployment surged, social unrest spread, and public dissatisfaction with the government's weak response grew.

In this situation, the military asserted that "territorial expansion is necessary for a strong nation" and gradually gained political influence.

- Manchurian Incident (1931) — The Beginning of Japan's Invasion

In 1928, the Japanese Kwantung Army assassinated the Chinese warlord Zhang Zuolin by blowing up his train. The army framed China for the incident to justify a conflict.

Liuqiao Lake Incident (1931)
In 1931, the Japanese army bombed the South Manchuria Railway and blamed China for the attack, initiating military action. This marked the start of the Manchurian Incident. Within months, Japan occupied Northeast China and established the puppet state of Manchukuo the following year.

Key Figure: Kanji Ishiwara

A central figure in the Manchurian Incident.

Advocated the "Final War Theory," believing a war between Japan and the U.S. was inevitable.

The international community condemned Japan for this invasion, but Japan withdrew from the League of Nations, further isolating itself.

- Second Sino-Japanese War (1937) — A War with No End

In 1937, war broke out between Japan and China.

Initially expected to be a short conflict, it dragged on, placing enormous economic and social burdens on Japan.

- World War II (1941-1945) — Japan’s Defeat

Key Figure: Isoroku Yamamoto

"The Man Who Wanted to Avoid War"

As a Japanese Navy admiral, he believed Japan could not win a war against the U.S.

However, due to military pressure, he led the Pearl Harbor Attack in December 1941, which triggered war with the U.S.

In December 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, bringing the U.S. into the war. Initially, Japan expanded its territories rapidly, but as the war progressed, Japan’s situation worsened. By 1945, American air raids devastated Japan’s mainland.

 

- Chapter 2: Defeat and Occupation—Starting Over from Zero

 

※Tokyo

 

By 1945, Japan’s war situation had deteriorated drastically.

The fall of Saipan in 1944 led to intensified air raids on Japan, and the Tokyo Air Raid in March 1945 killed over 100,000 people. The Battle of Okinawa (April - June 1945) resulted in nearly 200,000 deaths, making the possibility of a final battle on the mainland a real threat.

- The Atomic Bombs and the Decision to Surrender

August 6, 1945: The U.S. dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, killing about 140,000 people and devastating the city.

August 9, 1945: A second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, killing approximately 70,000 people, leading to serious discussions on surrender within the Japanese government.

August 9, 1945: The Soviet Union declared war on Japan, invading Manchuria, Sakhalin, and the Kuril Islands.

- August 15, 1945: End of the War (Gyokuon-hōsō)

Emperor Showa decided that "the suffering of the people must end" and accepted the Potsdam Declaration.

On August 15, 1945, Emperor Showa announced Japan’s surrender via radio broadcast (Gyokuon-hōsō). It was the first time many Japanese people had heard the Emperor’s voice. However, the term "defeat" was not used; instead, the focus was on "ending the war."

- Emperor Showa’s War Responsibility and Transition to a "Symbolic Emperor"

After the war, many nations questioned Emperor Showa’s war responsibility, with countries like China and Australia demanding he be tried as a war criminal.

However, General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers, judged that punishing the Emperor would cause social chaos in Japan. As a result, Emperor Showa was not prosecuted but transitioned from being a "Head of State" to a "Symbolic Emperor."

 

- Chapter 3: High Economic Growth—"The Miracle Recovery"

After the war, Japan was in ruins, with many suffering from food shortages and unemployment. However, Japan miraculously recovered and, by 1968—just 23 years after the war—became the world’s second-largest economy after the U.S.

- 1964 Tokyo Olympics: Japan's Revival on the World Stage

Tokaido Shinkansen: The world’s first high-speed rail (210 km/h) showcased Japan’s advanced railway technology.

Expressways: Rapidly developed to support urban traffic.

Haneda Airport Expansion: Strengthened Japan’s international connectivity.

Color TV Boom: The Olympics were Japan’s first color TV broadcast, leading to mass adoption of color televisions.

- The "Three Sacred Treasures"

During the 1950s, household appliances revolutionized Japanese homes.

TV, Washing Machine, Refrigerator: Known as the "Three Sacred Treasures," these appliances improved the quality of life dramatically.

In 1968, major companies like Honda, Toyota, Sony, and Panasonic thrived, making Japan an economic powerhouse.

 

- Chapter 4: The Bubble Economy and Its Collapse—The Rise and Fall of Japan’s Economy

 

During the 1980s, Japan experienced an unprecedented economic boom, earning the nickname "Japan as Number One" worldwide. However, this was fueled by an unsustainable bubble that burst in the early 1990s.

1989: At its peak, Tokyo’s land value alone was said to be worth more than all of the U.S.

1989: The Bank of Japan raised interest rates, leading to a real estate and stock market crash.

1990s: The economy entered a prolonged slump, later known as the "Lost Decade."

 

- Epilogue: The Bridge to the Heisei Era—What Showa Left Behind

Showa was a period of war, reconstruction, prosperity, and economic collapse. Despite hardships, Japan became a global economic leader.

Key Global Japanese Companies:

Sony: Walkman, TVs, gaming consoles.

Toyota: Hybrid technology, global car production.

Panasonic: Home appliances, semiconductors.

Honda: Motorcycles and global car expansion.

Showa’s values of hard work and perseverance shaped Japan. However, after the bubble burst, Japan had to adapt to a new era.

 

Next: "The Story of the Heisei Period: Transformation, Challenges, and the Bridge to the Future"