The Pacific Rim Japan and the Asian Tigers: South Korea,
Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong
Japan History after WWII
Occupation was led by General Douglas MacArthur
Japans armed forces were disbanded
The American occupiers had the goal to end militarism and
ensure a democratic government. Gave women the right to vote,
increased civil liberties, encouraged labor unions.
A new Japanese Constitution was drafted by the American
occupiers creating a Constitutional Monarchy that limited the power
of the Emperor and abolished Shintoism as the state religion.
The Japanese accepted this new constitution and signed a treaty
that took away Japans overseas empire
In 1952, the Allied occupation officially ended
General MacArthur and Emperor Hirohito
Japan Economy
Japan Incorporated
Cooperation between state and private industry led to expansion
of exports
Concentrated on economic growth led by government economic
planning and production guidelines
Became World economic power focuses on advanced technologies
automobiles and electronics
Focus on labor and management cooperation wages remained low,
living standards improved
Stressed importance of group cohesion emphasized group decision
making and stressed loyalty
Gung Ho Film Clip
Japan Political System
Blended modern democratic forms with traditional elitist
ties
Government was dominated by one Party Liberal Democratic Party
provided stability in Japan from 1955-1993, and again now.
Developed into a ruling oligarchy stressed Patriotism, loyalty,
development and protection of Japanese industry, pollution and
population control
After 1993, corruption caused a split of the Liberal Democratic
Party Rise of Democratic Party of Japan
Prime Minister Visits WWII Shinto Shrine Taro Aso - 92 nd Prime
Minister of Japan http://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Prime_Ministers_of_Japan
Japan Society
Government stress of population control birth control and
abortion supported
Education expanded merit based university enrollments
Traditional cultural returns Poetry, painting, tea ceremonies,
chopsticks
Western culture adopted Baseball, dress, music, games shows,
soap operas
Male authority remained dominant womens role as mother stressed
- small feminist movement
Japanese Game Show Hideki Matsui, People Pushers and the Bullet
Train
South Korea History after WWII
Korea was split after WWII
North Korea was Communist ruled by dictator Kim Il Sung
South Korea was Capitalist ruled by autocratic President
Syngman Rhee
Korean War was fought (1950-1953) ended in fragile truce along
the 38 th parallel
General MacArthur at Invasion of Inchon
South Korea Economy
Government attempt to recover from years of foreign occupation
and civil war instituted five-year plans on exports and
infrastructure, land reforms
Achieved major economic growth corporations like Samsung,
Daewoo and Hyundai became massive conglomerates who have political
and social influence
Development of consumer goods, steel, automobiles,
textiles
Per capita income increased created Economic Miracle
Economic problems exist today corruption, trade deficit,
unemployment, and bankruptcy
Hyundai plant in India and Seoul Korea.
North Korea and South Korea Satellite Image taken at night
What does this satellite image tell us about each society?
Military coup led by General Chung Hee Park in 1961 new
constitution, slow democratic reforms
Limited freedoms autocratic rule and suppression of all
dissidents
Park was assassinated in 1979 National elections took place in
1989, limited power of big business and began communication with
North Korea about reunification
President Lee Myung-bak and Labor Union Protests General Chung Hee
park and Guard at DMZ
South Korea Society
Population increased to 48 million highest density (1000 people
per square mile)
Government encourages limited birth rates for families
Confucian principles of thrift, education, and hard work is
basic attitude of workers
Buddhist beliefs and respect for nature
Heavy influence of large companies (Chaebol) built housing,
schools, arenas for Tae Kwon Do
Western influence Baseball, fast food, dress, music,
karaoke
Buddhist temple and statue and South Korean baseball player
Taiwan History after WWII
Nationalist Party, or Kuomintang, fled from Communist
Revolutionaries and went to Taiwan in 1948
Led by Jiang Jieshi (Chiang Kai-Shek)
United States has vowed to protect Taiwan from Communist China
Security Treaty of 1954
General MacArthur and Jiang Jieshi
Taiwan Economy
Achieved economic prosperity Agricultural and Industrial
production increased standard of living increased
Government installed land reform program and economic planning
infrastructure and targeting strategic industries
Government stressed private business and foreign
investment
Stress on education, literacy, technical training
Opened trade network with U.S., Japan, S.E. Asia and China
Capital city of Taipei
Taiwan Political System
Authoritarian rule emergency decree by threat of communists.
Lack of political diversity and political parties
1978 U.S. recognized Peoples Republic of China and severed
diplomatic ties with Taiwan
1978 Jiang Jieshi died and son, Chiang Ching-kuo eased
authoritarian rule
Today, there is a more representative form of government with
elections and multiple parties
Discussion of declaring Taiwanese independence from China has
created tension and threats
China wants one country, two systems
Under pressure from China, Taiwan participates in the Olympics
under the name of Chinese Taipei, and its national flag and anthem
cannot be used when its athletes win medals.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/23/world/asia/23taiwan.html?_r=1
Taiwan Society
Population growth government family planning programs to reduce
rate of growth (7 million to 20 million from 1945-1980s)
Traditional beliefs Confucian ideals, hard work, frugality,
filial piety, medical practices, religious rituals
Government attempt to Sinicize population Mandarin language
Today there is a push for English
Recent Taiwanese nationalism has developed Taiwanese
language
Western influence medicine, hospitals, music, baseball, golf,
forms of entertainment, convenience stores
Two 7-11 convenient stores face off in Taiwan
Singapore History after WWII
Was originally part of the British colony of Malaya. Gained
Independence from Great Britain in 1959 British naval base until
1971.
Led by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew until 1990
Lee Kuan Yew and Singapore people welcome British after WWII
Singapore Economy
Extraordinarily successful economic development
Government led initiatives combined with private enterprises in
manufacturing, banking, shipping, electronics, textiles,
shipbuilding and oil refining
2 nd highest per capita in Asia and busiest port in the world -
tourism arrivals are up, average household incomes are rising, and
the job market looks white hot.
Port of Singapore
Singapore Political System
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew led as an authoritarian ruler
Government had tight controls over its people proclaimed strict
discipline and restraint was needed because such a large population
crowded a limited space
Resulted in very low crime rates and limited government
opposition due to harsh penalties.
New leader, Goh Chok Tong had promised a kinder and gentler
Singapore.
Current PM is Lee Hsien Loong ( Lee Kuans son ) .
In 1994 American 18 year old Michael Fay was convicted on vandalism
in Singapore and sentenced to 83 days in prison and 4 lashes with
the cane!
Singapore Society
Population growth Singapore is the one of the most densely
populated countries in the world
Government introduced birth control policies in the late 1960s
to reduce population. In the late 1990s, the government introduced
a "baby bonus" scheme that encouraged couples to have more
children.
Government run Ministry of Education sets curriculum
standards
Government owns and controls all radio and television
stations
Mix of traditional and western cultures Buddhism, Confucianism,
Daoism with Christianity, Architecture, sports
Hong Kong History after WWII
Remained a British Colony until 1997 when it was returned to
communist China
British Leave Hong Kong
Hong Kong Economy
Highly capitalist economy built on a policy of free markets,
low taxation and government non-intervention
Developed into major world trading port and international
banking center
High export levels- textiles, toys, and electronics
Recently has develop more service industries as manufacturing
has moved to mainland China
Government has allocated funds for transportation, education,
public housing and sanitation
Hong Kong Political System
Ruled as a British Colony from 1842-1997
Hong Kong was handed over to Communist China. Under the policy
of "one country, two systems", the communists are responsible for
the territory's defense and foreign affairs, while Hong Kong is
responsible for its own legal system, police force, monetary
system, customs policy, immigration policy, and delegates to
international organizations and events.
Democracy right to vote, legislative branch, judicial system,
multi-party state, civil service
Protesters in Hong Kong fear spread of communism
Hong Kong Society
Mix of British and Chinese cultures
Education follows western models public schools run by
Department of Education
Diverse culture Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Daoist
Movie making industry Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan
The Tian Tan Buddha, tallest outdoor Buddha statue
Similarities
Emphasize group loyalty over individualism
Stress hard work
Confucian morality
Government planning
Limits of dissent
Influenced others: Indonesia, Thailan, Malaysia Little
Tigers