Synopses & Reviews
In this book, Aaron Forsberg presents an arresting account of Japan's postwar economic resurgence in a world polarized by the Cold War. His fresh interpretation highlights the many connections between Japan's economic revival and changes that occurred in the wider world during the 1950s.
Drawing on a wealth of recently released American, British, and Japanese archival records, Forsberg demonstrates that American Cold War strategy and the U.S. commitment to liberal trade played a central role in promoting Japanese economic welfare and in forging the economic relationship between Japan and the United States. The price of economic opportunity and interdependence, however, was a strong undercurrent of mutual frustration, as patterns of conflict and compromise over trade, investment, and relations with China continued to characterize the postwar U.S.-Japanese relationship.
Forsberg's emphasis on the dynamic interaction of Cold War strategy, the business environment, and Japanese development challenges "revisionist" interpretations of Japan's success. In exploring the complex origins of the U.S.-led international economy that has outlasted the Cold War, Forsberg refutes the claim that the U.S. government sacrificed American commercial interests in favor of its military partnership with Japan.
Review
This book is an ambitious attempt to place postwar economic history within the wider realm of international relations.
American Historical Review
Review
An important, revealing account.
Walter LaFeber, Cornell University
Review
[This book] brings needed attention to important trends in United States-Japan relations during the 1950s.
Harvard Business History Review
Review
Lucid and highly readable.
Business History
Review
[Forsberg] make[s] important contributions to the history of Cold War economic diplomacy.
Journal of American History
Synopsis
Aaron Forsberg demonstrates that American Cold War strategy and the U.S. commitment to liberal trade played a central role in promoting Japanese economic welfare and in forging the economic relationship between Japan and the United States. In exploring the complex origins of the U.S.-led international economy that has outlasted the Cold War, he refutes the claim that the U.S. government sacrificed American commercial interests in favor of its military partnership with Japan.
Synopsis
This book is an ambitious attempt to place postwar economic history within the wider realm of international relations.
American Historical Review [Forsberg] make[s] important contributions to the history of Cold War economic diplomacy.
Journal of American History [This book] brings needed attention to important trends in United States-Japan relations during the 1950s.
Harvard Business History Review Lucid and highly readable.
Business History An important, revealing account.
Walter LaFeber, Cornell University
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 295-313) and index.
Table of Contents
Preface
Abbreviations and Acronyms
1. Introduction
2. To Keep the Japanese on Our Side
3. The Economics of Peace
4. War in Korea and the China Trade Embargo
5. The Fight over Trade Policy, 1953
6. Japanese Integration with the Western Trading Bloc, 1954-1956
7. The Limits of Integration: Foreign Direct Investment in Japan
8. High-Speed Growth and Trade Friction, 1955-1960
Epilogue
Appendix: Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Tables
1.1 Japan's Balance of Payments, 1951-1960
1.2 Japan: Introduction of Foreign Investments, 1951-1971
1.3 United States Balance of Trade with Japan, 1947-1971
1.4 Japan's Receipts from U.S. Military Expenditures, 1950-1960
1.5 Japan's Foreign Trade, 1945-1960
1.6 Japan's Import Trade with China, 1930-1975
1.7 Japan's Export Trade with China, 1930-1975
1.8 Japan's Imports by Area, 1935, 1950, 1955, 1960
1.9 Japan's Exports by Market, 1935, 1950, 1955, 1960
6.1 Reductions in Japanese Rates of Duty on Leading Items, 1955
6.2 Bindings of Japanese Rates of Duty on Leading Items, 1955
6.3 Reductions in U.S. Rates of Duty on Leading Items, 1955
6.4 Bindings of U.S. Rates of Duty on Leading Items, 1955
7.1 Book Value and Percentage Distribution: U.S. Foreign Direct Investments (by Area, Selected Years)
7.2 Validated Establishments of Joint Business Ventures in Japan, 1950-1965