Japan, divided politics in a growth economy

by J.A.A. Stockwin

Describes the changing political administration policies, issues, and institutions during Japan's recent phenomenal economic growth

Genres: Politics

333 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Ian Laird · Rating 5 out of 5]

I once wrote a thesis about Japan. In 1976 I had enjoyed a course in international relations, especially an enthralling exploration of Middle Eastern oil politics in the aftermath of the oil crisis of 1973 when the oil-producing countries took control of their own fortunes through OPEC.

So next I decided to write a thesis about Japan, a country which had no oil (still doesn’t) and it went under the natty title: ‘Japan’s Oil and Natural Gas Trade with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the People’s Republic of China.’ Catchy, Eh! My supervisor was the quietly spoken, courteous and erudite Arthur Stockwin, who was Reader in Political Science at the Australian National University at the time, shortly before returning to Britain to take a up a chair at Oxford University, where he continued his distinguished career as a scholar of Japanese politics.

Arthur was an ideal supervisor: providing gentle yet firm guidance with a realistic appreciation of his student’s strengths (and otherwise): ‘It fine to just tell a story’, he said, and so I did. I got through. This book, Japan: Divided Politics in a Growth Economy, which I absorbed completely, set me up for the task. Arthur’s book gave me so much I wanted to know about post-war Japan; the national psyche, the impact of the war and subsequent US occupation and the development of Japan’s particular form of democracy, its issues and challenges.

PS: Arthur’s wife Audrey was keen potter, and my dad, an engineer and then a potter himself, built a kiln for her.

PPS: My dad always said if he went overseas, it would be to Japan, but he never did. I went with my family in 2019 and loved every minute of it: a most hospitable country.

PPS: The structure of my thesis was giving me sleepless nights when suddenly it all fell into place and I leaped out of bed to scribble out the chapter headings in the order that now made so much sense. It was a Eureka moment. ‘What are you doing?!’ I was asked. ‘I’ve worked out my thesis; I’ve got to write it down!’ ‘Yeah, well be quick about it, you woke me up…’