Trade Japan is one of the world’s leading trading nations, as measured by their exports. Its imports and exports totaled about $525 billion in 1990. Their main exports at the time, in terms of value, were iron and steel, passenger cars and electronic equipment. Petroleum was Japan’s chief import that accounted for 35 per cent of the total value of imports (World Book). Most of the time since the mid-1960s, Japan has had a favorable balance of trade-that is, the value of its exports has exceed the value of its imports. Japan maintained a favorable balance of trade by one, exporting manufactured products throughout the world at competitive prices and second, through restricting imports by means of various trade barriers, such as tariffs and quotas. Japan’s trade policies have contributed to unfavorable trade balances for countries that import large qualities of Japanese goods but face barriers to exporting their own goods to Japan. In an effort to reduce these barriers, a number of Japan’s trading partners began criticizing the country’s trade practices. To maintain good trade relations, Japan begun responding to these request. It …show more content…
During the 1960s through 1970s there were relatively low levels of immigration into the country, but through immigration, Japan is now known globally as a regional economic player as a result of immigration. The number of foreign immigrant migrating to Japan include both new and returning visitors and residents, has grown considerably in recent years. The total number of entrants was 3.5 million in 1990 and increased to 5.27 million in 2000 (migration information). By 2005, the number had grown to 7.45 million. As the Japanese gradually and grudgingly open their country to foreigners, they understand the importance of an open door
In the early 1800’s, Japan had blocked off all trade from other countries. Foreign whaling ships could not even reload or repair their ships in Japan territory. This offended many other countries. In 1852, Matthew Perry was sent to Japan to negotiate open trade. Japan felt threatened by the United States, and gave in to their demands. Japan was frightened by their stipulations, and immediately began to reform. They developed a new education system that was similar to America and Europe’s. They also developed a Western style judiciary system.
Japan is facing a de-population crisis. Birth rates have be dropping since the economic boom of the 1970s, and the drop in birth rates is accelerating. Actual population is now around 127 million, but at current rates of decline is expected to drop to 100 million by the middle of this century, and by the start of the next century, to around 40-50 million people. In addition, Japan has the longest life-expectancy in the world, and its “pensioners” are growing as the workers who support them in their later years are declining rapidly. Sixty years ago, there were about eleven workers to support each pensioner; today there are only two. Japan’s current debt load is higher than Greece’s debt, and that could ultimately result in major economic issues. Sakanaka Hidenori, in his Immigration Battle Diary, urges Japan to consider the options available to address the population issue and its economic repercussions. He argues that they can either stay the course and prepare for the changes this will cause, or change immigration policy and prepare for the cultural ramifications of that decision.
The United States has for over two centuries been involved in the growing world economy. While the U.S. post revolutionary war sought to protect itself from outside influences has since the great depression and world war two looked to break trade restrictions. The United States role in the global economy has grown throughout the 20th century and as a result of several historical events has adopted positions of both benefactor and dependent. The United States trade policy has over time shifted from isolationist protectionism to a commitment to establishing world-wide free trade. Free trade enterprise has developed and grown through organizations such as the WTO and NAFTA. The U.S. in order to obtain its free trade desires has implemented a number of policies that can be examined for both their benefits and flaws. Several trade policies exist as options to the United States, among these fair trade and free trade policies dominate the world economic market. In order to achieve economic growth the United States has a duty to maintain a global trade policy that benefits both domestic workers and industry. While free trade gives opportunities to large industries and wealthy corporate investors the American worker suffers job instability and lower wages. However fair trade policies that protect America’s workers do not help foster wide economic growth. The United States must then engage in economic trade policies that both protect the United States founding principles and secure for tomorrow greater economic stability.
The author reviews different credible sources and comes up with the idea that the blame is not on the Japanese alone. Looking back in history, Japan chose to be an isolated country until the westerners invaded and forced trade
...to reside in the nation (Watts). This lack of international migrations over the course of 200 years has resulted in Japan historically being a very homogenous society, and as a result, non-Japanese outsiders are often face discrimination (Itoh).
During World War I Japan had successfully placed itself amongst the leaders of the Allied nations. Despite this the Japanese struggled against racial discrimination, which plagued Japanese-Western relations. However, racial discrimination was not one-sided, the Japanese strongly believed that they were spiritually superiors to their western counterparts. This superiority complex combined with Japan’s growth during the war fueled imperialistic desires. Japan aspired to be a contender in the global market economy, but Japan lacked vast resources that the United States and other western Allies possessed. During the great depression Japan’s economy was collapsing as exports declined which in turn led to political upheaval. “The American Hawley-Smoot tariff in 1930, followed the next year by British imperial preference, threatened to cause permanent damage to Japanese economy.” (Gordon, p. 140)
The decrease in business investment and global demand for the country’s exports in 2008 was the beginning of Japan’s hardships. The economy was on the way to a recovery in 2009 and 2010, but an earthquake hit the country 2011 this threw the manufacturing industry in to disarray. The country was on an upturn in 2012 by a surge of recovery spending, but slow economic global growth in the middle of that year took a toll on the demand of their exports. This decrease in the demand of their exports was further compounded by the fact that electricity supplies are a fraction of what they once were because the country shut down almost all of their nuclear plants; this was one of the aftermaths of the earth quake and tsunami that damaged the Fukus...
In the following essay I will try to compare two highly developed economies, Japan and The United Kingdom. I will emphasize the success of their economies and how human capital, advancing technology (innovation), and FDI have contributed to their current success or failure. I will briefly discuss the contemporary history of each country, thoroughly cover their current conditions, and end with expectations for their future.
With Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s announcement at the APEC summit held in Hawaii this past weekend that Japan will enter into Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, the economics aspects of the alliance appear to be progressing in light of the changing strategic environment. It has been no secret that the U.S. has been pushing hard for Japan to enter into TPP talks and President Barack Obama praised Prime Minister Noda’s decision in face of strong opposition within his own party and the politically strong agricultural sector as one that, “could provide an historic opportunity to deepen bilateral economic ties” (Lindsay, 2011).
In 2000, the United Nations reported that an average of 609,000 immigrants per year from 1995 through 2050 is needed for Japan in order to maintain its workforce at the 1995 level (U. N. Population Division 53). The news surprised many people in Japan, and they were forced to face the immigration issue sincerely. This controversial issue has been discussed for last 150 years. Facing today’s low birth-rate and ageing population, Japan should now accept more immigrants and become a multi-ethnic country in the future. On the other hand, there are strong oppositions against accepting immigrants for economic and cultural reasons. To clarify the points, first the issue regarding foreign workers is examined from the economic point of view in a short-time period. The present situation and historical background of foreign labor help explaining both reasons why Japan should or should not accept more foreign workers. Secondly, immigration to Japan is examined from the cultural point of view in the long time period. In conclusion, it is very important for Japan to become multi-cultural and international in order to be more creative and competitive in the world.
Japan is crowded with its 130 million people would be an understatement. But add that to the fact that seventy-five percent of the nation is hilly or mountainous, and the wide open spaces for ...
Export trends have been an important factor during Japan's present economic adjustment period, and the structures of Japanese exports, together with the imports, have been changing substantially in recent years. The changes in the country's export and import structures during the 1990s can be characterized by the following three key developments: (1) the weight of IT-related goods has been rising in both real exports and imports; (2) real imports of consumer goods from East Asia has been increasing; and (3) the US remains Japan's largest trading partner as a single country. Due to these factors, maintaining its comparative advantage became the priority in the current global economy.
By taking over Manchuria in 1931, the Japanese wished to de-populate overcrowded territories in Japan and settle its surplus population over seas. Due to the rate at which the Japanese population was growing, social problems began to arise and Japan needed a way to disperse its people into other regions other than its own. Many cities and villages became overcrowded and thousands of Japanese citizens in...
From the above table it is evident that there are many differences between the two cultures, some of which were experienced by John. Australia’s culture is characterised by low power distance and long-term orientation, high individualism and indulgence and intermediate masculinity and uncertainty avoidance. Comparatively Japan has an intermediate power distance score, high scores for masculinity, uncertainty avoidance and long-term orientation and are collectivists and restrained.
Japan is one of the greatest countries in the world and it has offered many things as well. The Japanese have given the world a better understanding of their culture and history along with a good look at the future from a technological standpoint. They have developed and created the future for their country that has allowed them to be prosperous and powerful. They once isolated themselves from the rest of the world, but now they share their knowledge with other countries in order to create a better understanding of the world. Through their trade and creative thinking they have become one of the world’s largest and powerful countries and have allowed their economy to flourish and prosper.