Yasukichi Yasuba

Did Japan Ever Suffer From a Shortage of Natural Resources Before World War II

Until the end of the nineteenth century, Japan raised its per capita income, starting from a low level, by exporting primary commodities and importing manufactured goods. Around the turn of the century, Japan became a net importer of natural resources. Yet it is doubtful that Japan ever suffered severely from a shortage of natural resources before the Manchurian Incident of 1931. It was the military expansion in the 1930s that created an artificial shortage of mineral resources, the wholesale exodus of population, and a lowering in the standard of living of the general public.

Modern Economists' Views on the Japanese Economy - a Survey

The task I assign to myself in this paper is a survey of major studies on the Japanese economy published in the postwar years by modern Japanese economists.

Alternative Theories of Southeast Asian Development: A Japanese Perspective

This paper examines the pronouncements of Japanese economists on Southeast Asia during the past 30 years in the belief that such a survey reveals the strengths and weaknesses of alternative theories of economic development as applied to Southeast Asia. It finds that Marxist, dependency, borrowed-technology, and ersatz capitalist theories have proved to be wrong, or at least inadequate. Moreover, the patrimonial theory which used to be adequate in the 1960s and 1970s has since lost its relevance. In contrast, neoclassical theories with special emphasis on the quality of human resources have proved to be right.

The Rise of East Asia and Recent External Shocks

In the last 10 to 20 years economic activity in the countries of East Asia, including China, rose very substantially. Whether government-guided or laissez-faire, these countries relied heavily on the market and prospered on the exports of manufactured goods. In the early phase of industrialization, most of these countries invited direct foreign investment on a massive scale. By the end of the 1980s, East Asia was the growth center of the world. Three major incidents between 1989 and 1991, namely, the crushing of the student movement for democracy in Beijing, the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe, and the resultant end of the Cold War—as well as the recent Gulf War—shook the world and East Asia as a part of it. These incidents, and particularly the latter two, will have long—lasting effects on the future of world history, but the position of East Asia as the growth center of the world will not be much affected.

Economists and Society in Postwar Japan

An economist can contribute to the welfare of the society through various means. First, he may be engaged in abstract research which eventually brings fruits to society. Second, he may do empirical research whose results directly or indirectly affect public opinion and public policy. Third, he may teach at a college or a university where he presumably contributes to the enrichment of human capital. Fourth, he may be engaged in advocating or criticizing a policy or a system through mass media. Finally, he may participate in policy making itself.