Deserving of the Title

           As an international studies student, we are required to familiarize ourselves with the economy and politics of other countries and the turning points that happened in world history. When we were still taking our INTGLOS class, we are asked to watch a movie about the World War II in Japan’s point of view. This became really memorable and relevant to me, because it was a very different experience given that in almost all history books, Japan has always been given the perception of being the antagonist and the America being the hero.

            In the movie, I have seen how devastated Japan was after the World War II.  They experienced a lot of death in their population, ruined infrastructures and sudden scarcity of resources. It is why this project made me very interested about learning how Japan stood from that failure.

           Upon researching, I have seen that it is not only me who thought that it must have been almost impossible for Japan to rise from that situation. I have read a lot of articles about how other countries perceived and called Japan’s rise as a miracle.

            It is really fascinating how Japan became the second largest economy in the world in the middle of 20^th century given of what happened to them in the Second World War. However, in the research, I was also informed about the conditions of their lost in the World War became a blessing in disguise for the fact that they did not have to spend on their defense for quite some time because the United States ordered them to stop any military engagement for international safety and that it will be the United States who will provide them if in case they will need one.

            What made Japan very successful are their export industry and their world class technological innovations. However, the global economic crisis really affected their economy which eventually led to recession because the demand for their exports decreased. Aside from that,  Japan also experienced a problem with their labor force because of the lack of their working population.

            But the cycle did go on. Japan experienced a downfall then it will rise, will fall, and will rise again. This was experienced with another challenge in Japan’s economy in the form of the disastrous earthquake they have experienced in 2011. This made the whole world see how Japan intelligently handled their problem and how civilized and cooperative its people were.

            Generally, Japan experienced failure for many times but its rigor and eagerness to stood and excel never left them. The Japanese Miracle has always been there –inspiring other people and allowing other countries to look up to them. This is the reason why they have always been deserving of the title “THE RISING SUN.”