Japan, 1969: "My Homeism" and Political Struggle

Abstract

Japan in 1969 was girding for socio-economic impact of full liberalization. Though wages and GNP rose faster than prices in general, rising prices were an issue of importance, and the older employed were feeling the stresses at times of Japan's restructuring process. On the other hand, labor shortage in some sectors was such that six jobs awaited each high school graduate, and restraints on pre-graduation recruiting were thought necessary. As a world maritime nation, Japan continued to trade with any nation that could and would trade, regardless of political system. Both the political apathy implied by my homeism and radicalization of student politics were in part, products of increasing prosperity, if not yet affluence, of Japanese society. But the economy of Japan was never importantly affected, not because the Japanese is an economic animal, but because as a rule he is not only energetic, but also practical and orderly.Keywords: restructuring process; Japan; labor shortage; political apathy; socio-economic impact; student politics