Evolution of the Japanese commercial community in the Netherlands Indies in the Pre‐war Period (From Karayuki‐san to Sōgō Shōsha)

Abstract

In relation to the above it may be worthwhile to note here the Nawa-sankansetsu-ron (Nawa's tri-segmental theory), as it is a very important theory for Japan's pre-war foreign trade. It analyses Japan's trade relationships with the above-mentioned 'three segments' during the era of Japanese imperialism, and shows explicitly the vulnerable position of Japan in the world economy. The domestic markets remained small due to the miserably low standards of living of the peasantry and workers, caused by the semi-feudalistic nature of agriculture. Japan had to seek outlets abroad for her manufactured goods, while resorting to military expansion into the