七十三, Japan and South Korea
Japan was able to recover from the destruction wrought upon it by the Second World War. The US would keep a military presence in the country, which helped keep the country from falling to Communism. The Communist Party of Japan had a great deal of electoral success in Japanese elections, but they would never become the ruling party. Instead, Japan would alternate between periods of Right-wing and leftist/socialist rule. In the late 1950s, Japanese politics shifted left. In 1958 the Japan Socialist Party won an upset victory over the Liberal Party. Shigeru Yoshida was replaced as Prime Minister by Jotaro Kawakami. The Kawakami government would enact social reforms and pursue a more neutral foreign policy.
(Jotaro Kawakami)
America was disturbed by Japan’s leftward turn. Fortunately, Kawakami was one of the more conservative members of his party. Increased American aid brought Japan back as a close US ally. This aid helped Japan develop its economy more and subsidize its domestic businesses (which would allow these businesses to expand abroad). Left-wing infighting allowed the right to return to power in Japan in 1967. Eisaku Sato became prime minister until his death in 1975 and presided over an era of economic growth for Japan. He was firmly pro-American and anti-Soviet. He was somewhat friendly towards China, and Japanese companies would expand into China during the 1970s. There were still tensions between China and Japan, over the war and over the transfer of the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands to China.
(Eisaku Sato)
In South Korea, Syngman Rhee had been overthrown. The country seemed to be on the path to democracy. Cho Pyong-ok was elected president in 1958, and served until his death two years later. He would be succeeded by Chang Myon. He sought a second term in 1962, and was the favorite to win, but he lost to the independent candidate Park Chung-hee (who won with 38% in a four-way race). He ruled as an authoritarian. In 1974, protests over the clearly rigged election led to the overthrow of Park Chung-hee. Paik Sun-yup, who had served as provisional president from 1957-1958, would become the next president. Paik would rule in a semi-authoritarian manner as part of a transition to democracy for a few years, and then held free and fair elections were held in 1978. Paik Sun-yup was reelected as president and every South Korean election from that point forward would be fully democratic.
(Left: Park Chung-hee, Right: Paik Sun-yup)
Japan and South Korea both saw economic growth during the 60s and 70s. Japan was doing a lot better economically than South Korea, however. Japan had the strongest economy in Asia until it was eventually overtaken by China. The South Korean economy grew as well, though to a lesser extent. By the 1980s, the South had more than overtaken the North, it wasn’t even close. North and South Korea, despite a few skirmishes, managed to avoid all-out war. The Japanese and Korean economies were in competition with each other, and also with China. Toshiba and Samsung were able to keep Minkuo out of Japan and Korea. In the 1970s, it was noted that Japanese and Korean electronics were of higher quality than what was being pumped out of factories in Kaifeng. Both countries had successful automotive industries as well, an area where China had limited success.
(Jotaro Kawakami)
America was disturbed by Japan’s leftward turn. Fortunately, Kawakami was one of the more conservative members of his party. Increased American aid brought Japan back as a close US ally. This aid helped Japan develop its economy more and subsidize its domestic businesses (which would allow these businesses to expand abroad). Left-wing infighting allowed the right to return to power in Japan in 1967. Eisaku Sato became prime minister until his death in 1975 and presided over an era of economic growth for Japan. He was firmly pro-American and anti-Soviet. He was somewhat friendly towards China, and Japanese companies would expand into China during the 1970s. There were still tensions between China and Japan, over the war and over the transfer of the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands to China.
(Eisaku Sato)
In South Korea, Syngman Rhee had been overthrown. The country seemed to be on the path to democracy. Cho Pyong-ok was elected president in 1958, and served until his death two years later. He would be succeeded by Chang Myon. He sought a second term in 1962, and was the favorite to win, but he lost to the independent candidate Park Chung-hee (who won with 38% in a four-way race). He ruled as an authoritarian. In 1974, protests over the clearly rigged election led to the overthrow of Park Chung-hee. Paik Sun-yup, who had served as provisional president from 1957-1958, would become the next president. Paik would rule in a semi-authoritarian manner as part of a transition to democracy for a few years, and then held free and fair elections were held in 1978. Paik Sun-yup was reelected as president and every South Korean election from that point forward would be fully democratic.
(Left: Park Chung-hee, Right: Paik Sun-yup)
Japan and South Korea both saw economic growth during the 60s and 70s. Japan was doing a lot better economically than South Korea, however. Japan had the strongest economy in Asia until it was eventually overtaken by China. The South Korean economy grew as well, though to a lesser extent. By the 1980s, the South had more than overtaken the North, it wasn’t even close. North and South Korea, despite a few skirmishes, managed to avoid all-out war. The Japanese and Korean economies were in competition with each other, and also with China. Toshiba and Samsung were able to keep Minkuo out of Japan and Korea. In the 1970s, it was noted that Japanese and Korean electronics were of higher quality than what was being pumped out of factories in Kaifeng. Both countries had successful automotive industries as well, an area where China had limited success.
