Japanese Modern Capitalism and Environmental Destruction

Abstract

In Japan recently much debades have been done about the possibility of sociology to anticipate the new society. As a true science of society, sociology should be valid to construct the new society. Sociologists must perceive the new trend from the convulsion of social reality. Therefore what is important is not so much the possibility of sociology as the possibility of society. It is a crucial task for sociologists to prescribe for the new humanistic society in which each individual can develop his potentiality freely and attain his selfrealization. Marxist sociology, as a critical sociology, must seek the way to realize true association and the really democratic social relationship.In Japan there took place rapid economic growth since 1960. The “miracle” of sustained high growth has depeded on, not incidentally resulted in, toleration of immense industrial pollution. A large number of people have been killed directly by industrial poisoning. Kogai, all kinds of enviromental pollution, is now past the crisis point and no longer tolerable. It is important to stress that a very large part of Kogai problems are the direct result of a chosen policy which which the government adopted for capitalist accumulation and not unavoidable “byproducts” of technologial development.The terrible effects of big business's “high growth” policies have spilled over the whole society. The economic policies for bourgeoisie increasingly destroyed the livehood of many people. The national and local “development” plans threatened the life of communities and exploited inhabitants's land, labor and lives. Also there is “pollution” and danger inside the factories where most workers spend half of their waking life. Workers are also intervened even in their private lite, and labor unions control militant members and function sometimes as effective agents of management. Workers who insist their human rights are regarded “dangerous” and “destructive” elements for productivity of enterprise.