Rebuilding Japan after World War II

[@megaprojects9649]

You know what's nice? Getting the daily news to my phone, without all the extra nonsense. But that's exactly what Morning Brew can do for you. It's convenient and simple... and totally free. You can subscribe to their email list here: cen.yt/mbmegaprojects

[@ryurazu]

Zaibatsu were actually ban/dissolved by the peace deal

[@b.thomas8926]

My grandfather was part of a team that went to Japan post war to evaluate the Japanese oil industry to see what they could do with it. He told me: "It was an easy job. There was nothing to evaluate."

[@johnwolf2829]

Great topic! This is one of the biggest ones of all time and I salute you for airing this. As for all the people that will complain that MacArthur and the US were too easy on Japan; when it was over, the Japanese let it be OVER. There was no terrorism, the only Hold-Outs were those on isolated islands, and there was no movement to reestablish the old order once our backs were turned. Why be brutal when the people you are occupying are being so reasonable?

[@KarsonNow]

02:00 and once again only the half of the truth was spoken... 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ Nuked Hiroshima and Nagasaki wasn't the MAIN reason for Japan Kapitulation...Not even close. Sorry, I have expected more professionalism in this channel. Thumbs down. 👎

[@ryurazu]

@@KarsonNow true but I mean it was a large part, it was probably the Soviets coming up their arseholes and their non-human gulags.

[@arnepianocanada]

With the *non-glorious* example of smashing Germany down after World War 1 - resulting in resentment that in large part fuelled the rise of Hitler - MacArthur was very wise not to repeat the heavy-handedness at this juncture.

[@knarf4083]

Hard to see wise and MacArthur existing in the same sentence. I am willing to bet Truman and Marshall had a lot more to do with it.

[@pscwplb]

@@knarf4083 MacArthur really does deserve a lot of credit for what happened in Japan immediately after the war. He was given a very free hand in setting policy for the occupation, and he made reconstruction, not reprisal, his top priority. It's important to remember that people aren't any one thing. Sure, MacArthur was vainglorious, boastful, and arrogant, but he also could inspire loyalty and was a talented administrator.

[@SEAZNDragon]

@@knarf4083 Speaking of West Point, when MacArthur was the school’s commandant he pushed to reform the curriculum base on his WWI experience. Not only modernizing the tactical lessons but adding political science and economics courses after seeing how junior officers in post-WWI Europe end up being micro ambassadors. He was also military governor of the Philippines before WWII and had some idea about running a government.

[@normanbraslow7902]

knarf Your lose your bet badly. MacArthur had no guidance or directives from Washington, and it was his decisions and none over. Truman and Marshall had nothing, repeat nothing, to do with Occupation policies. MacArthur said his occupation of Japan was his finest accomplishment, above and beyond what the did in WW I, and WW II. He was right. Give him the credit he deserves, no matter how much you obliviously hate him.

[@knarf4083]

@@normanbraslow7902 Yes, I despise him. This was the man who wanted to nuke China in order to appease his ego during the Korean war. I agree that his peacetime administration of Japan was more successful than his time as a general. No great accomplishment there. The man was a loose canon and overrated as a general.

[@Fortunes.Fool.]

I'll say it again, we need a Megaprojects episode on the making of a Megaprojects episode. Same format, same style, same music, same everything.

[@slcpunk2740]

That seems more like a side project video considering the don't exactly have the budget of Beijing Olympics, Apollo or the Berlin Airport. (OGBB)

[@deanmc]

Sounds like a 1 million subscribers video.

[@Ass_of_Amalek]

megaproject: simon whistler

[@Metallica4Life92]

thats so meta

[@Stealthsuit25]

Yes, a million times yes

[@brianrajala7671]

I was in Japan during 1965-66 while in the USArmy. The Japanese I met treated me very well. As a nationality they were extremely tactful, courteous, and industrious. I was highly impressed. I would love to visit that country again. I cannot compliment them enough based on my experience.

[@booblnnpan473]

日本人对强大的美国臣服，但是最好美国保持一直强大，否则你们将会收到日本的反噬。我们最了解日本人，当古代中国强大的时候，日本人来学习。当中国没落，他们就开始侵略。

[@randallporter4835]

My dad was part of the Army of Occupation, one of his jobs was evaluating the remaining electral and telephone systems. That meant a lot traveling for a mere non-com. His reports and the reports of others were which American companies were going to get the contract to rebuild Japan. Many already had Japan branchs before the war like RCA and GE. They had got the contracts to rebuild the Telephone and Electrical grid.

[@fredbowles4721]

@ConfusedOilPainter if America wasn't here you would be speaking Russian. And if America doesn't stay at the top you'll be speaking Mandarin soon. Count your blessings.

[@rodrigorodriguez6332]

@ConfusedOilPainter lmfao how is that corruption that's how we operate free market quit being a stupid idealist

[@indahooddererste]

@@fredbowles4721 no instead we speak americano

[@denvan3143]

@@indahooddererste there are a few more countries that speak English as a first language beside the US. They include the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Antigua, Bermuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Burundi, Canada, Cameroon, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Granada, Gayana, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lethoso, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Marshall islands, Micronesia, Namibia, Nauru, Nigeria, Pakistan, Oaoau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, st. Lucia, st. Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, south Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe. There are 20 more where English is the de facto language but not the official language.

[@indahooddererste]

@@denvan3143 come on it was a joke

[@graham2631]

Both Germany and Japan had a unexpected bonus, they were leveled. A clean slate allows you to rebuild industry more efficient than before.

[@angrydoggy9170]

True, looking at German cities like Berlin.

[@gamingcreatesworlddd2425]

I just hope no nation will bE LEVELLED like Japan and Germany were

[@YuureiInu]

Every country should do it from time to time.

[@hellogoodbye4402]

@@YuureiInu well look no further than ww3...

[@Tsunamiieh]

Tough times build tough people as they say

[@randallporter4835]

When my dad got off the boat a week after the surrender he was handed a shotgun and told "If someone looks crosseyed at you shoot them". He said people were so beaten down and sad then put the shotgun away after about two months.

[@alfnoakes392]

I understood that the Occupying Forces were expressly forbidden from striking Japanese civilians. It must have been 'prickly' at times, especially when all the Japanese soldiers in China etc returned home and were demobilised, but the 'winning hearts and minds' policy which MacArthur imposed worked. Perhaps a good early example of this policy in action was the setting up of 'Little League' teams to spread American culture, and all the ideals that go with it, to the younger generation.

[@HarryNicNicholas]

@@alfnoakes392 i don't think the general population were all that keen on the war, i don't think it took long for the occupying forces to realise the japanese would've rather got on with life over going to war. i've been there twice and it's really the last place on earth you feel the need to have protection, that shot gun probably got put away quite soon.

[@michaelcarnasciali1311]

@@HarryNicNicholas yeah me too. ive travelled a lot and been to Japan 3 times. ive never been to a country that made me feel as safe and welcome as Japan.

[@livethefuture2492]

To be fair there were a lot of enraged allied soldiers who had heard of the atrocities committed by the japanese on allied POW's and Chinese civilians. For many of the veteran divisions, there was no sympathy for the japanese, as they had fought bitterly across the pacific against a fanatical enemy that would sometimes fake surrender to ambush their own troops. Certainly there were many that wanted revenge, and wanted the war criminals responsible tried and hanged. However as mentioned previously much of this was swept under the rug for the ease of occupation and propping up of japan as an ally in the est against communism in the cold war. (i suppose this is one reason why many pacific islanders and native people were not included in the occupation force, since they would be particularly inclined to treat the japanese with the same merciless brutality that they had inflicted on them)

[@ShubhamMishrabro]

@@HarryNicNicholas you're correct I read they had 1 murder one year. But I also read police doesn't bother in many cases that's why on paper it is very low

[@c.b.s.3495]

Thanks for sharing this. My grandmother lived in Japan while she was a teenager while her dad was responsible for rebuilding Japan’s postal services.

[@shinobifujin]

Japan truly bounced back and then took vengeance by dominating the tech industry.

[@PiroKUSS]

Only to stagnate and stop doing so decades later.

[@WJWeber]

@@PiroKUSS hard to do it when papa us decides they are getting to big for their own good

[@despacitodaniel801]

but they invaded the west with anime. Truly a fate worst than an extinction ball

[@oldleatherhandsfriends4053]

More like poor economic policy which is still going.

[@Abbeville_Kid]

@@WJWeberoh yeah because it’s all the US’s fault that their economics practices brought about their economic demise.

[@Dusty-Builds]

I was surprised that there was no mention of W. Edwards Deming's role in the rebuilding of Japan. Especially sense he's often referred to as "The architect of Japan’s post-World War II industrial transformation."

[@jeff__w]

W. Edwards Deming deserves an episode in itself, I think. He’s truly a giant in post World War II Japan.

[@JimmyJamesJ]

I was just thinking the same thing. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

That like America is being walked back to the benefit of large corporations. Carlos Goshn was hired by Nissan to do the dirty work so the Japanese BOD could save face and blame the gaijin CEO. And Olympus Corporation hired a Brit as CEO. He looked into the books and found out secret payments were being made to yakuza. He confronted the board about that and they threw him under the bus. And it is a post industrial world now.

[@Yamato-tp2kf]

@@michaelrmurphy2734 Carlos Ghosn did like any greedy industrial, off-shore bank accounts and fictional companies to get money from NISSAN, it's all in the famous Panama papers, this was the reason why the Japanese police investigated, the Japanese police, they don't warn when they are investigating you, and his allegations of being a victim are bad structured and he's way if doing it is not very effective, i have a phrase that is very know in my country: "Who owes fears"

[@dancalmpeaceful3903]

I agree ......Deming was one of the greats. Companies like Toyota still follow Demings principals....more companies in the US should do the same.

[@loke6664]

I would say this is how you handle a defeated enemy and turn them into a friend, if this had been done with Germany after the great war I think world history would have turned out rather differently. MacArthur was a rather strange figure and his actions in Korea could be discussed but he did a really good job here. Executing the Japanese Emperor would have been about as good idea as it was if the Germans or allies would have executed the Pope when they invaded Italy. It would have made Japan hate America forever and likely driven them in the waiting Soviet hands. Not worth it.

[@hetalianotaku7103]

@HVAC Quality Assurance As stubborn as he could be, there was arguably no better man to oversee the occupation than MacArthur. One of the main reasons being he'd already been to Asia many times and had quite a bit more respect for Asian peoples than most Americans did at the time.

[@Kevin-jb2pv]

MacArthur seems to have been very in tune with the Pacific islander and East Asian cultures and understood them quite deeply. It's a shame that some of his other more frightening tendencies and temperaments caused him to be so unceremoniously chucked from office.

[@loke6664]

@@Kevin-jb2pv He was a bit of an odd fellow, did some things very well but others he screwed up. Like the defense of the Philippines where he split up all his forces and resources all over the islands against his orders, the Japanese didn't have to worry about "divide and conquer" since he already done half of that for them. But other times he did just the right things and he was very popular with his soldiers and always treated the locals well. Basically he was a human being with faults and virtues, I would say his handling of the surrendered Japan was his greatest moment because he did all the right things and rather quickly turned an enemy into a friend which is one of the hardest things to do. By the time of the Korea war however he was not at his best and US had no choice but to relieve him. When one of your generals want to start a nuclear war that is always the right choice to do.

[@dovid916]

@@loke6664 I very much agree; his style of leadership, sheer confidence, and grand vision was a near perfect fit for rebuilding post-war Japan. But as you said, those same traits worked against him later on. I can't really fault the guy, his guidance strongly influenced the creation of a future economic superpower, so I could see how he wouldn't want to change his ways. You might also say that during the Korean war, the Japanese fondness of him also allowed a much smoother relationship between the US and Japan to build.

[@divinewind6313]

If the treaty of Versaillies had not been forced upon Germany after WW2, our world would have been much different.

[@Corsuwey]

My grandpa was on the USS Suwanee near the Philippines and the ship was the 2nd to be attacked by kamikazes. When asked if he held any ill thoughts about the Japanese... He quietly said, "I never met one personally, so I don't know." I have have lived in Japan for 20 years as an immigrant. I love this country and the people... and I wish my grandpa could have gotten a chance to meet someone from Japan.

[@thomaswalz3515]

I had the honor of repairing Japanese battery powered toys from the late 1950's to the early 60's. I was blown away by the creativity. So simple, yet so complex in function. There was mechanical programming that boggles the mind. Not a transistor in sight, just a little electric motor, gears, levers, cams, connecting rods, light bulbs, switches. Remarkable. Japanese engineering is remarkable. If only the japanese automotive body designers would study in Europe... please.

[@JR-pr8jb]

Very helpful. My father was stationed there in the early 50's during the Korean conflict, not terribly long after returning from the war against Hitler in Europe. He always spoke fondly of the Japanese people.

[@CatsMeowPaw]

Japan had two lucky breaks. They were occupied by the Americans and not Soviets, and the Korean war meant the USA had to quickly convert Japan from a bitter enemy to ally in new fights.

[@livethefuture2492]

Yeah, many of their most notorious war criminals also got let off the hook. (i mean some of the war crimes really make you sick). Plus unlike germany, there was no "denazification" of japan, their fanatical violent brutal Bushido culture still lingers on, and of course they still deny all their war crimes as you might know.

[@alexanderphilip1809]

@@livethefuture2492 and that'll serve them well. German's have been defanged to the point of bei g absolutely domesticated. Japanese still have a world class navy that comes to close to the US and French in expeditiary capabilities.

[@mikeyoung9810]

@@livethefuture2492 Maybe some deny it but many don't. We don't even try to deal with how many civilians we knowingly killed in Japan.

[@OldieBugger]

@@mikeyoung9810 Or in Germany...

[@quokka7555]

@@alexanderphilip1809 Japanese navy is not even close to the capabilities of the US or France. They also have very limited expeditionary capabilities. Expeditiary isn’t a word. They are considered a large navy in terms of tonnage. Which isn’t difficult when you have 4 “helicopter carriers” that serve next to no purpose.

[@PetrSojnek]

It's similar to opening Japan in Meiji era, right? Many other countries would (and did) fall prey to western colonizing nations... But Japan somehow managed to get from "middle ages" into modern country in such crazy short time and in about 60 years they were one of the major players in WW2. Japanese people resolve and resilience is astonishing. You can see it even in modern times... when some sort of disaster strikes (earthquake, nuclear disaster), people just clench their teeth and plow through the disaster, working together. (Famously including criminal organizations).

[@Sora_Nai]

It has to do with their culture and beliefs of being disciplined and hardworking. Also, they got a lot of help from the Americans because the Americans needed to help them rebuild as fast as possible to make a strong defense against communism.

[@2degucitas]

Shogonai (it can't be helped)

[@user-wi9hv2pb2q]

Similar also that the usa both times thought a strong japan was a valuable global asset against European expansion. Commodore Perry literally fitted japan with steam engines. The rest is history. I hope all wars, when they end, focus on rebuilding for the civilians.

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

They were a Middle Ages society with modern military technology, which was part of the problem.

[@jb71488]

Thanks!

[@oddballskull1941]

Construction worker: “well….at least everything is level..”

[@ryantaylor1142]

Lol too true

[@wasimshaikh1665]

Damn you sir.

[@LLJWLLLP999]

😂😂😂🤭

[@Darth.Fluffy]

Thank you General Graves.

[@raymondj8768]

BIG FKN TIME LOL

[@danielhale1]

When I see the bitter enemies of recent decades, e.g. in the middle east and China and Russia, and all the things people believe about them, I think of Japan and Germany. No enemy nation is beyond a turnaround to becoming an immensely successful and honored friend. It's important to stop and reflect on our own history and how much can change in a few decades, before you commit yourself to hatred or conclude being enemies is how it will always be.

[@kkpenney444]

Why don't you tell that to the Chinese, Russians, and Middle-Easterners?

[@danielhale1]

@@kkpenney444 Because whatever the bitter past, the modern day presents new opportunities to bury that past and become something new. Former enemies can become long-lasting friends, and unstable regions can stabilize and enter a golden era. It's not that simple in practice, but history is filled with such turning points. I'm not inclined to say China, Russia or any part of the Middle East are doomed to remain as they are just because they're unstable now and have struggled in the (relatively recent) past. And on the same note, no successful nation is immune to decline or collapse. History is bigger than the here and now.

[@ginnyjollykidd]

The reconstruction of Japan was a very important event that shaped both Japan's continued survival and thrival, but also shaped America-Japan relationships. Yet nothing beyond "Reconstruction of Japan," "Emperor Hirohito surrendered," and "Gen. MacArthur," were mentioned in my high school world history class. Sad. But I'm glad that this was one of your Mega Projects so I could learn more.

[@bassmith448bassist5]

I'm 56 and reaching back into the fog of high school memory, that's all I remember getting as well. Pearl Harbor, Midway, Guadalcanal, McArthur, Returns, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Surrender.

[@koharumi1]

Another thing that shaped the USA Japan relations is the bikini atoll attack that caught up a Japanese fishing boat.

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

and we taught them to play baseball 😁

[@gregspencer7287]

The culture definitely played a massive part in their success. Crazy how they rallied together as a country to fight for a better life & greener pastures.

[@seantrevathan3041]

Yep. Their social cohesion and dedication to cause is almost alien to most nations.

[@the_SolLoser]

It amazing what happens when you free a population... i imagine that something very similar could happen to Cuba, if the people had the freedom to do so.

[@Stoppskylten]

​@@the_SolLoser Very very unlikely. More likely, Cuba would go back to the "free" state it was in before the revolution. Or even more likely, to about the average of a south-American country.

[@sultanniazi2394]

Japanese culture is non existent. It’s a colony. As a part of the new world order along with Germany. Obedience is the key word.

[@Snufflegrunt]

And their shockingly high suicide rate.

[@jayireland561]

We joke about how we'll just eat Ramen noodles to make it through when times get tough but that's literally how it went for the entire country of Japan after the war.

[@jamesricker3997]

The guy who invented Instant Ramen made millions.

[@--enyo--]

Ramen noodles were luxury food then.

[@knoahbody69]

My Parents visited Japan and they eat rice at the end of the meal because they grew up eating nothing but rice. South Korea donated rice to Japan in the 1950's so the Japanese wouldn't starve.

[@darnit1944]

Instant noodles, Vespa, Volkswagen Beetle, Honda, they all rose because of destruction caused by WW2.

[@knoahbody69]

@@darnit1944 Rised?

[@davidhuber6251]

I'm curious how much W. Edwards Deming's contribution helped with the rebuilding. Many of his views on quality in manufacturing are still relevant today. Very informative video as usual.

[@scottpenland3576]

Japan had quality production for hundreds of years before Deming waddled into the picture after the war.

[@garymartin9777]

They were willing to listen and do which is more than most American companies.

[@Tetsu9701]

Being born in the late 80s I grew up in the US loving all things Japanese. I grew up in the 90's & early 00's, This was during the "Anime Invasion", tuner car era, & the rise of Japanese game developers. It literally formed my interests today due to watching Dragonball Z, Pokemon, Bleach, etc. I was enamoured by tuner cars like Nissan GTRs, Honda Civics, Acura Integras, Toyota Supras. Video games I prefer now are all of Japanese origin, like Final Fantasy, Mario, Sonic, Street Fighter, MegaMan.

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

How did you watch anime?

[@RegenXF1]

​@@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Musictv existed

[@66kbm]

A very little talked about and discussed theme on the interenet. I can imagine this subject taken slowly and seriously could produce a great and informative video.

[@Stealthsuit25]

Timeline has a great 1hr30min documentary about this. Highly recommended

[@ryandx6955]

They literally have 11 hour free audiobooks on this subject on KZbin for free.

[@nikkihorn3852]

I was lucky enough to live in Japan for part of my childhood in the 80's. I don't think I'll ever stop missing the place or people.

[@millywillson4702]

why dont you live there anymore?

[@aromirsauro9092]

@@millywillson4702 He misses his mammy back in the states.

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

What did you like about it?

[@masudashizue777]

I was born in Sapporo 9 years after the end of WWII. The claw marks of the war had all but disappeared by then.

[@GlenHunt]

Naha 23 years afterward for me. It still brings me to tears when I think about the way I saw many US and Japanese ex-soldiers standing side-by-side at memorials and battle sites. Difficult time in history, but an even more amazing recovery and friendship.

[@HarryNicNicholas]

@@GlenHunt as i said in other comments i think it wouldn't take long for the occupying forces to realise that the japanese people weren't all that enthusiastic about the war, and whatever atrocities the japanese commited was down to the same mentality that makes them an honest and responsible people, i've been twice and i love the place and the people, i've been to hiroshima and it's amazing what a great city it's become. and likewise, the museum is sobering place to visit.

[@MrTexasDan]

@@HarryNicNicholas I dare say that during the war, they were nothing but enthusiastic about it. Please let's not re-write history ... like most Germans after the war saying they hated Hitler.

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

A quick recovery then.

[@clarencewatson8366]

I recently stayed in Kawasaki - which used to be an industrial and dock area of Tokyo. Everything is neat, clean and uniformly new. The whole area must have been flattened and completely rebuilt.

[@joeennis2571]

I cant believe you left out William Edwards Deming an American that the Japanese built statues of and who brought lean manufacturing culture to Japan

[@johnkello9221]

That madlad deserves a biographics if he hasn't already gotten one.

[@jeff__w]

Deming definitely deserves a mention (at least) when talking about post-World War II Japan. 👍

[@cavemancell3562]

Deming did not bring Lean to Japan - he introduced statistical process controls, which focuses on product quality. Actually, it was the Japanese that brought "Lean" to the US, having learned basic principles from Henry Ford. Ford move on from "Lean", bringing it back later, but that's another story....

[@danielduncan6806]

If we had tried, convicted and executed their emperor, we would not be at peace today. There would always be a rebellious force in Japan if we had done that. Something that is lost on most people today; after a victory, it is not time to crush your enemy, it is time to take pity on them. Humans understood this concept up until about 60 years ago.

[@AviationNut]

I always said the same thing, the Japanese people would really hate us Americans if we executed their Emperor. There is absolutely no way we would have trust between America and Japan like we do today if we killed their Emperor and i think that's the main reason our government decided to spare the Emperor and i agree with that decision 100%. I know that if Japan won against the US, which i would say would have been impossible, but let's say they would win, i guarantee the Japanese wouldn't be even half as nice towards Americans as Americans were towards the Japanese and that's the one thing that bothers me, but i also understand where they're coming from because the Japanese people were always taught since their childhood to punish their enemies and they certainly did that, the horror stories i heard of how the Japanese treated their enemies were mind blowing, the torture and the medical tests performed were worst than most horror stories, the Japanese did not see their enemies as humans. Personally i love Japan and the Japanese people and i hope we remain great friends and allies for ever, supporting each other and other allied countries. Hate only breeds more hate.

[@MarvinWestmaas]

"Humans understood this concept up until about 60 years ago." This is just such bs, do we literally have to go over all the old battles were no prisoners were taken, city's being sacked with near no survivors? What a bs statement, it is a> naturally just not true and b> I don't get wtf this should reference, people now being worse because..?? Is someone stuck in a bubble again and am I as outsider left out for the obvious and deeper meaning here?

[@yashvardhanojha6796]

@@AviationNut had these wokes been there then , we would still hear about American casualties in Japan. Good job McArthur

[@jackapgar5824]

He was powerless in the butchering of chinese and other asians. If he was responsible he should had been executed for war crimes

[@vinzenzgeske8987]

Pity might not be the right word, but some form of olive branch certainly goes a long way. I'm a German and we know a thing or two about getting our asses handed to us in a World War. And while the WW2 is certainly the one everybody is talking about, WW1 and it's aftermath is actually the more important lesson. When Germany and its allies lost that war, Germany was forced to sign a deeply humiliating peace treaty, putting the full responsibility and blame for it on Germany and forcing them to pay unimaginable amounts of compensation. The way I understand WW1 from history classes in school, this fact was not only unfair (the situation at that time was highly volatile and it was basically a coin toss which power in Europe would start the next conflict back then) it was also a big part why things escalated so quickly and violently in those short years between 1918 and 1939 (or really 1933 when Hitler got into power and set things into motion). The western allies did learn from that after WW2 and not only helped Germany rebuild, but also involved them in decisions concerning them. This is why the EU and its predecessors exist: To involve Germany into decisions and bind them to other western european countries, especially France. The French-German relationship that we have now, this close dialogue between our two countries, is not an accident but was planned and did exactly what it was supposed to do: To make both of them the closest allies in Europe so that Germany would never again attack France (and vice versa). There's something a guide in the Bundeswehr Museum in Dresden asked us: When the French president first visited Germany after WW2, he decided to be driven around in a Mercedes instead of a French car. Why was that? And there are two possibilities for that: Either he did it to spite the Germans à la "Look, everything you build is mine now." or he did it as a sign of good faith, the shape of things to come if you will: France and Germany working together. Whichever way of reading the people of a nation chose in such circumstances is highly dependent on how the more innocent parts of the population are treated...

[@grapeshot]

I had two great-uncles that served as occupational soldiers over in Japan after World War II. And they often times talked about helping to rebuild Japan.

[@livethefuture2492]

Did they ever talk about the treatment of allied POW's, i've read about many horrific incidents of allied POW's being tortured and killed. Did they ever have any resentful feeling towards the japanese and their cruelty to those they occupied, and the crimes they committed across china.

[@quokka7555]

@@livethefuture2492 given the Japanese had two atomic bombs dropped on them and lost millions of their citizens, I’d say the resentment would have swung both ways...

[@seanbrazell6147]

@@quokka7555 No doubt. But tempered by the fact that only one nation DESERVED what happened to them, and it wasn't the US.

[@quokka7555]

@@seanbrazell6147 deserved? It was an imperial country in what was becoming the modern world. To say a country “Deserved” millions of deaths simply because citizens served their emperor is quite bizarre and shows a complete lack of understanding of history and Japanese culture. The US mainland was untouched and America lost less than half a million people. Compared to Japan, that’s apples and oranges.

[@Darth.Fluffy]

@@quokka7555 . And how did China do under the gentle touch of the Empire? Japan spent a decade attacking anything that breathed in the region, as long as it didn't speak Russian. A nations citizens are responsible for that nation's actions.

[@ilsefuentes883]

you should also do one about the reconstruction of Korea, that one is pretty impressive as well, even more imo.

[@MoBahar687]

Not really. Japan significantly dominated for that time. Korea around the 90s saw improvement in major cities,

[@PocketAces500]

@@MoBahar687 No, it's quite impressive, and more so because the Korean war left the South in a much more devastated state than Japan was after the bombings. For a place that truly had hardly nothing (hardly no tech advantage, no natural resources, and many starving poor), it's development is remarkable to Japan who still had a significant economy, infrastructure, and know-how.

[@MoBahar687]

@@PocketAces500 I can somewhat agree with you however, Japan's economy skyrocketed post war. Its a success story and in 40 years Japan became a world power. South Korea was not doing well against North Korea Post 1950s... But once soviet Union collapsed, the North was on its own and the South saw a huge breakthrough during the 90s while a famine was going on next door. The only time I will give credit to America is rebuilding Japan with democracy and the will of the Japanese people made the Japan economic miracle happen. Also the decision to not punish the emporer was the right decision. It was mainly the military who wanted to continue the war. That's the only one. Every other country the USA has tried to topple or inserted a puppet gov has been destroyed and all because of the communism fear. They did far more damage then good. Cuba never fell to the Americans and honestly, they have longer life expectancy, fewer crime rate and overall population is happy.... Not talking about now though.

[@PocketAces500]

@@MoBahar687 You stated many textbook and standard political science international relations 101 answers, so I'll only ask why you personally think not trying and maybe removing the emperor was a 'right decision.' I'd argue it was a calculated decision based on American immediate necessity to obtain Japanese loyalty in order to check the USSR and the communist threat. I'd also argue that having kept the emperor and most of Japan's war criminals in positions of power stifled Japanese liberal democracy (1 party dominance since 1945, resulting in a lack of critical thinking from the populace who hold subservience as a cultural tradition) and prevented the healing and reconciliation between it and its Asian neighbours.

[@matthewbartley2746]

Irony being that having been broken, shattered, and brought low by the awe inspiring military machine of the US industrial might. Allowed Japan to regain their pride, their honor, their strength and they did so in a much better way leaving true strength around them by friendship, alliance, and being open to the west and it's love affair with liberty and self-determination. Japan went from what they viewed as necessary to secure their power and future. To what they never would have imagined as an option. A strength that was in their soul.. needing only the chance to flourish. A people who no longer needed to fear the threat of the outside world, because they proved themselves to valuable to conquer and too important to the US to be threatened by a foreign power without more Americans showing up enraged. Japan.. I am happy to call our friend. And I hope that the relations between our nations continues to grow and prosper. I'm proud to see the Japanese people reclaim their military capacity and to take strides to ensure not just their own safety. But the stability of their region as a partner. Alot of history to move past. Alot of wrongs.. but. There's always light and hope if we move forward to be better people.

[@nicolek4076]

It's extraordinary to think that 60 years ago, if I saw "Japan made" on something, then it was likely to be pretty shoddily made.

[@alexanderphilip1809]

Hard to believe.

[@drboze6781]

I remember those little gold labels "Made in Japan" that meant "junk". Those little gold labels now say, "Made in China".

[@paktahn]

try 70 years ago they were making quality things in the 1960s

[@stolenboistudios]

they learned the difference between quality and quantity🤷🏻‍♂️ not bad for a country that was still hunter gatherers while the romans and greeks were taking over the world

[@rogerthornton4068]

I remember those days. Back in 1967 my uncle bought a Honda motorcycle and I thought it was total junk because it was made in Japan. In those days made in Japan meant junk.

[@joyl7842]

It's not specifically mentioned in this video but one should not dismiss the new ideas that sprung from the re-industrialization of Japan. Such as Lean Management and TPS developed by Toyota which are centered around reducing waste in mass production. These methodologies have been adopted by companies around the world.

[@leeroyloke8415]

Say Megaprojects any chance you could cover South Korea's post-Korean War recovery and rebuilding too?

[@danielatkins6117]

Yes definitely would love to see that made

[@moosemaimer]

It's been said that for some years after the cease-fire it was better to be in the North due to the South's brutal government.

[@lonniewineman6620]

Good posting. I wish you had included how Japan was investing heavily in the U.S. during the 80s. Buying binge on real estate, buildings and golf courses. Then their economy crashed. They're still struggling with economic recovery. My mom was a young girl in Tokyo during the war. She was pretty insulated. She never would say much about how it was tho.

[@Stoppskylten]

At least that whole thing brought us BladeRunner. And with that cyberpunk, which probably helped the economy due to all the animés in that vein that followed. And without those, no CyberPunk 2077. (On the popular speaking about quality and post communism here..) What a different world it would all be, if things did not happen the way they happened.

[@Greatblue56]

A truly epic reconstruction! Thanks for making this one. A lot can be learned from this bit of history.

[@RolandjHearn]

I am old enough, 60, to remember when "made in Japan" was a punch line. I remember coming to the astonished conclusion that "made in Japan" meant something superior, not inferior and wondering to my teenage self how that happened in such a short time. This video was very helpful in explaining that. I have been fascinated for years by the rebuilding efforts after the devastation of WW2. In many ways the story in Germany is very similar. I think it says a lot more about humanity then we notice on when our focus is on the war itself.

[@jeff__w]

“‘made in Japan’ was a punch line” I recall that also-on the one hand, it’s astonishing that the change took place, let alone how quickly it did; on the other, “perfection” seems to be a key cultural value in Japan (as opposed to “good enough”/pragmatism in the US) so maybe it’s not all that astonishing that Japan quickly shifted, with the help of W. Edward Deming, to turning out extremely high quality products.

[@HarryNicNicholas]

it's a bit like the "made in china" thing at the moment, it might be a symbol of "cheap n cheerful" but in 25 years time china is going to be quite a dynamo.

[@davidwilken3584]

My dad was part of the occupation force in ‘45. The photos he took of the utter destruction of Kyoto and other Japanese cities are unbelievable. However, they also showed that people continued on in their lives and were not bitter at the Americans, at least the ones my father interacted with.

[@connordoyle502]

I was taught kyoto was spared. Was that city bombed as well during ww2?

[@tgmccoy1556]

I remember my neighbor who bought a new Toyota. This was about 1967. It ran like a watch and was better made than our Chevy.

[@owenshebbeare2999]

The only trouble with Japanese cars from that period was rust, though that was hardly unique, given American and most post-war European cars rusted too. The Japanese quickly learnt that reliability was essential.

[@StrangeTerror]

Even today, the most reliable vehicle on the planet is the Toyota corolla.

[@arthasmenethil7208]

@@StrangeTerror I'd say Toyota Yaris

[@StrangeTerror]

@@arthasmenethil7208 Ewww. I'm guessing you own one?

[@MassEffect1988]

The fact this country recovered from near total devastation, had 2 major cities completely wiped out and had hundreds of thousands of civilians killed and overtook the UK as an economic power, is mad... 🤯

[@angadsingh9314]

I mean the UK was also pretty extensively bombed...

[@lucascoval828]

A inspiring example. What excuse do any of us have?

[@redrocket604]

​@angadsingh9314 Yeah, the UK was bombed but not as bad as Germany and Japan.

[@davidankarlo9438]

One of your finest! Thanks

[@Kevan808]

My mom, who was born and raised in Kanazawa Japan, told me how she ate grass as a child to survive. Her older brother died in the war. She's 91 now.

[@anthonybird546]

My grandfather on my Japanese side went into construction after their porcelain shop burned down after the war - it survived the massive destruction in Tokyo during the war only to be burned down afterwards. I'm guessing construction made sense for him to go into since there were so many jobs in that industry, it was easy to sustain a family.

[@mustafaemad3614]

Mega Project suggestions: Benban Solar Park, Aswan High Dam, Bar Lev Line and Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

[@cadian101st]

It wasn't really kindness of not having the Japanese traumatised by having their emperor tried and executed, it was the very legitimate concern that it would cause open rebellion that would drag out the war even longer

[@palantir135]

Both Japan and Germany lost the war, were occupied, became democracies and both came back stronger than they ever were. The UK won the war and was almost bankrupt.

[@sww3679]

nowadays many vietnamese wish they lost the vietnam war :/

[@Bell_plejdo568p]

@@sww3679 no they didn’t stfu

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

Rationing continued in the UK until 1954 IIRC.

[@DennisDA]

I sometimes wonder if it was not the threat of the Soviet Union's expected invasion that actually tipped the scale in favor of submitting to the US rather than facing the threat from the east.

[@rosekemp4671]

I love you Simon always here early!

[@charliescene786]

Ah I see another fellow member of Cult Whistler. Greetings

[@paulceglinski3087]

My Uncle Eddie was a Marine during the War. Afterwards, he was on occupation duty in Japan. For him it was very difficult, especially when he was at Iwo Jima where he got his second wound. He missed Okinawa because of the wound, but he was fit for duty after Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He always said that once he saw the devestation of Tokyo and other cities he was a little bit moved, but he was still unsympathetic to Japan even to his dying day. I'm glad someone had a better idea for Japan and the Japanese. What would life be without anime.

[@JacobChacko3008]

" No wonder the curcuit failed. It says it's made in Japan. " " What do you mean, Doc ? All the best stuff is made in Japan. " " Unbelievable "

[@wasclit11]

When I was a kid some of my best friends started with a fight. Isn't is strange that our two strongest enemies, Germany and Japan are now some of our strongest allies.

[@markg7508]

Amazing story, I’d like to see more about it.

[@LewisBeck]

I understand that it was American industrialist W. Edwards Deming who played a significant role in the rebuilding of Japan. "Quality is job one" is one of his watchwords.

[@vustvaleo8068]

huh never expected a Saint Seiya reference in this video, lol.

[@RoseNZieg]

had me bursting out loud like an idiot

[@vicepopeyeschicken6229]

Don't mock saint seiya

[@gregorysaugustine5236]

Yep, phoenix Ikki.

[@christopherherndon41]

Really enjoy these BTW

[@ap-vi2gp]

when I was in elementary shool, my teacher told us that the school building was rebuild after the war by money raised from American citizens. I was very moved. I think things like this is one of the reasons a lot of Japanese likes America.

[@zappababe8577]

My Dad was always impressed by how Sony started - selling radios out of a stall inside a department store, immediately after the war had ended. I suppose it was very important that people kept up to date with all the changes that were happening within their country, and the news on the radio was a good way of keeping people informed.

[@波切和雄]

I’d be really interested to see WWII reconstruction videos for Germany/UK/USSR/&c. as well.

[@jonnythegreek1]

The post-war misery in Japan also featured cholera, dysentery, corruption, a thriving black market, and well over 100,000 war orphans living in the streets. This was an excellent video--thank you!

[@kenfoster8138]

Macarthur proved himself a great administrator there, rebuilding the Japanese economy and political system. In a similar vein, the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe has to be highly commended.

[@gamingcreatesworlddd2425]

Yes it was a nice gamble which was largely successful as it wasn't most would have turned communist

[@LJDS1979]

W. Edward Deming's "Out of the Crisis" is a tedious read, but dives deep into the group of Japanese families picked by the U.S. to revive and rebuild Japan. You've probably heard the names....Toyoda (Toyota), Suzuki etc etc. Deming was among those given the task by McArthur to fix the Japanese problem...bringing his system of total quality control to the country. Surprised his name wasn't mentioned once in this video.

[@seantrevathan3041]

My dad had a friend that was a POW on the main islands as slave labor in a coal mine. After the Japanese surrendered, the POWs were freed and they walked the countryside looking for a way off the islands. They said there was almost nothing left from the bombings. We bombed that country to the ground and they still wouldn't surrender.

[@herrunsinn774]

Born in 1948, I was a little boy hungry for toys by the early 1950. The American toy market was flooded with toys with "made in Japan" stamped on them. I remember most people at the time equated "Made in Japan" with "junk". It didn't take long for the quality and sophistication of those imports to grow past inexpensive toys to a much wider range of quality consumer products. "Made in Japan" quickly went from being a joke to meaning you had purchased a very high quality product. In fact, the majority of those small Japanese toys I had as a small boy were amazingly durable, with many of them still in fine working condition (stored in boxes in my basement). The Japanese did an amazing thing in their rebuilding (albeit with the help of the Americans). Incidentally, I remember seeing on the History Channel that it was a young female American service woman (in her 20's, I think) that drafted Japan's constitution after the war. Some credit her for including women's rights in the constitution early on. (I'm sure someone could easily verify that.)

[@askbobcarson1141]

Proposal for youtube fusion magic - Simon should do Hot Ones 🔥 😜

[@mho...]

kinda doupt his weak english mouth could survive that! but I WANT THAT NONETHELESS! 😅

[@earlyriser8998]

My wife's parents were part of the occupation force and had a son over there, before the Korean war. They talked about the huge transformation from rubble to civilization...to industry in just a few short years. I hate MacArthur as a General. But he also lead a reasoned and flexible governance of Japan that was unequaled by any of the other occupation forces. His leadership here was better than all of the American, Filipino, and Australian lives he wasted during the war. Nimitiz was at least 10 times better as a General and much more concerned about wasting Allied lives.

[@JackPitmanNica]

A lot of people don't realize that atomic bombs were not the biggest bombing death event of all time, its good to hear more KZbinrs mentioning the firebombing of tokyo

[@Cryodrake]

You should do the ITER nuclear fusion power plant or just Fusion power in general!

[@SovereignwindVODs]

Fusion power isn't a thing yet. Fusion can be achieved in small amounts. But it produces substantially less power than it took to initiate.

[@grimgrahamch.4157]

One thing that I'm still left wondering about is not how the country's industry and economy evolved, but about how the culture evolved. You see hints of it in Godzilla and 80/90 anime. But those more focused on the disastrous results of war, especially nuclear war. But I'm always left wondering about Japanese music, literature, fashion, and the general outlook they had throughout the cold war.

[@matthewbartley2746]

We didn't punish the Emperor because to the Japanese people he was a symbol of hope and home. He was the ultimate figurehead in a society deeply devoted to the call of duty and service. To show restraint and compassion to such a bitterly fought enemy represented something of equal value. We were not monsters they feared, we were men with honor and passion as well. And we made a solemn promise to them as we made to the people of West Germany. After everything.. we will never leave your side forever with the hope of being your friends.. if you would have us. And THAT is what makes Americans unique

[@Ramen4All]

This is one of your best ever videos! Thank you.

[@pplebite8844]

"....3000 calories a day" **Looking at my 6 pizza slices** Thanks, Simon. 😑

[@Taygetea]

Right? Always thinking a pizza is two equal meals of four slices.... and then it goes by in one night as a meal of 5 or 6 and then a snack later.

[@Duke00x]

6? rooky numbers.

[@sytrostormlord3275]

One of most astonishing rebuilt efforts in Japan is... in Nagoya's Castle Town - there's a replica of Nagoya's owner palace (not sure, if i'm not butchering name of building), but generaly - this was the building where Landlord ruling Nagoya region lived, greeted all guests and did official meetings. On contrary to Castle Towers (which are characteristic for Japan's castle) - which were military structers - both defensive and 'last stand" spots - palace was the everyday/living place for Landlord. what's amazing about Nagoya's Castle Town is that palace (which burnt to ashes during WW2) is restored with use of ORIGINAL materials that were used to build it - so it's wooded, made of same species of wood used to build it, if there are painting inside - they are being restore with use of original substanced used to get paint. whole building is restored based on early XX black&white photographs as well as some text describing whole building and each room.

[@hebneh]

Ironically, when Simon mentions that the Japanese people listened to the voice of the Emperor on the radio nationally announcing the country's surrender that ended the war in August 1945 - almost nobody actually understood what he was saying. That's because the Emperor, being considered a descendant of gods (and thus godlike himself) spoke a special rarefied language that was so different from everyday spoken Japanese that it was unintelligible to the citizens. They only knew what had been said after his speech was finished and a translated version in normal Japanese was then broadcast.

[@IANF126]

I more or less knew that we occupied them, rebuilt, and then left and became allies but you put it in perspective in a way i didn't really realize. It's incredible to think about it now.

[@bocadelcieloplaya3852]

One of the best investments America has ever made.......

[@MuddieRain]

Top 10 for sure

[@cookie_jar706]

@P GL Very well put

[@smeyer418]

that and the Marshall Plan

[@Stoppskylten]

@@traveler5566 That had nothing whatsoever to do with the drops. And you probably actually know that. Even if that would be the caste though. > Cruelty of a dictatorships military punished by indiscriminately wiping out a million mostly non-combatants and then handing out free passes to the cruelest and most responsible parties. The perfect lesson about karma I guess.

[@shinobifujin]

@@traveler5566 you do realize the point in the comment. Because I know you do.

[@TSUTENKAKU007]

You forgot to mention the world's first high speed train, Shinkansen, the Bullet Train, in 1964, right before the opening of 1964 Tokyo Olympic.

[@pamelamays4186]

Suggestions: How Britain bounced back after WWII. The Japanese War Crimes Trials. Amtrak. How San Francisco bounced back after the 1906 earthquake. The California Mission system, which helped establish major cities on the west coast of the state. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's steel industry, so awesome that they named it's football team The Steelers. And, lastly, the rise of KZbin. And, perhaps, how a certain awesomely bearded British KZbinr🧔 came to host a zillion KZbin channels.

[@gromit8023]

Britians bounce back was actually pretty sad. American politicians wanted the uks empire broken up and that was reflected it the help offered

[@Snp2024]

@@gromit8023 keeping empire would have been headache anyway and don't forget most of empire army was indian who were incredibly unsatisfied especially after disaster of Bengal

[@gromit8023]

@@Snp2024 it's true empires had their day by that point but the uk economy faired worse then even some of the axis country's

[@seandavie3672]

So sad that Japan faces such an uncertain future today. An aging population and political leaders who seem to favour older citizens, immigration is practically discouraged and eight million empty homes. Such a beautiful people, culture, and country with so much to offer.

[@suzynewell3595]

Shame you left Mr Edward Deming out guys. He has to be one of the most important persons in the history of postwar Japan. I had the immense honour to see him at a seminar in Pasadena when he was 92 or 93, and he was making everyone laugh. I remember sitting next to a USAF high rank guy in his uniform and we were both absorbing what he was saying like sponges.

[@stevenholt3709]

I have been watching your channels for a while now. Every one is spot on. You have the perfect voice for this! I enjoy every one. Your beard is cool too! LOL. Keep bringing them Simon!

[@sportscardprofessor]

Could we see a video on the restoration of the California Condor, back from the brink of extinction.

[@jetsons101]

I'd be happy with just the restoration of California.

[@ScottBFree]

Now California is on the brink of extinction.

[@jetsons101]

@@ScottBFree Were working on the recall of governor nutsoms right now.....

[@omegaman.1595]

For me the most interesting MegaProjects so far. 👍🏻

[@mikeskelly2356]

Once the Military took hold in Japan, the Emperor was 'Demoted' to the role of 'Figurehead'. He had no problem with expansion of Japan's hegemony in the Pacific, but it is said he was against the idea of a war of conquest...Making a Martyr of him would have enraged the fanatics and resulted in many suicide attacks on the occupying Americans...

[@dannydaw59]

The Japanese people would have turned against the occupiers if they imprisoned or worse off executed the emperor.

[@holgers5216]

we lived in Japan from 1960 until 1974. Yes, the industrial revolution and growth of Japan was amazing, especially after the 1964 Tokyo Olympics! I still love Japan and its people!

[@elhijodelchupacabra]

Japan was fortunate in defeat to have a wise and gentle conqueror in general Douglas MacArthur.

[@mamqqq]

great channel...much enjoyed

[@scottrobinson3281]

The Japanese are a unique and wonderful people, for whom I have always had the highest admiration.

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

I think they're the coolest looking people on the planet.

[@kabane-327]

(I use a translator.) I have heard that many Americans believe that the dropping of the atomic bombs was the biggest factor in Japan's surrender. However, even after the dropping of the atomic bombs, Japan was willing to continue fighting with impunity, and in Japan, the Soviet invasion of the Northern Territories is considered to be the biggest factor.

[@brandongaines1731]

I feel impressed that Emperor Hirohito was not at fault for his country's military's behavior during WWII. Y'all may disagree, but for evidence of my feeling, let me point out the fact that it was Emperor Hirohito himself who addressed the Japanese people via radio to announce their nation's surrender, a move which clearly took guts, courage, and - most importantly - humility

[@NZobservatory]

Hirohito was practically under house arrest during the war years. The militarist government was 100 percent in control of all aspects of Japanese life.

[@buckhorncortez]

Hirohito supported the war until it finally became crystal clear to him that they could not possibly win. That came about in the middle of July 1945. The government was a military oligarchy ruled by two representatives from the Army, two from the Navy, the Prime Minister, and the Foreign Minister. Hirohito's information came from the military and they only gave him the information that they wanted him to see to continue his support of their point-of-view. If you want to get a true picture of how incredibly screwed up the Japanese government was at that time, I would suggest reading, "140 Days to Hiroshima." It is an accurate depiction of the Japanese government, their choices, and why they made them leading up to the use of the atomic bombs.

[@lordrayden3045]

@@buckhorncortez That’s a big reason why the nuclear bomb was needed. Show him and everyone else we were done fucking around

[@carsonm7292]

@@lordrayden3045 The Japanese military command was mostly unfazed by the atom bombs actually. The firebombing campaigns, as shown in this video, were actually more immediately devastating than the atomic strikes. News that two more cities had been removed from the map was nothing new. The thing that really forced the military to swallow its pride and surrender was the impending Russian invasion after the Red Army effortlessly swept through the Imperial Army forces still occupying East Asia. The Soviets' barbaric reputation made surrendering to the Americans look like the more palatable option, and it was the opinion of U.S. intelligence that Japan was going to surrender without the need for using the atomic option; in fact secret negotiations for surrender were already underway when Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed. A common consensus among modern historians is that Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the sacrificial lambs for Truman to show the Soviets that they shouldn't mess with America after the war. www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-08-05/hiroshima-anniversary-japan-atomic-bombs As for Hirohito, there was no other person who could have told the Japanese people to stand down. Without the Emperor's say-so, some people would not have believed it, as only the Emperor had supreme power in the eyes of the people. This was in spite of the fact that he had already been demoted to a figurehead even before the Americans showed up and made it official. Really it was the Imperial military command that had taken over rule of the country in the pre-war years and are primarily responsible for Japanese warmongering. That said, I at least am of the opinion that "the buck stops" with the guy ostensibly in charge; Hirohito definitely shoulders enough blame that, morally speaking, he deserved punishment even if it was politically the wrong move.

[@calvinhobbes6646]

@@NZobservatory That’s only half true.

[@saveaslavesaveaslave448]

I don’t think the emperor ever used the word surrender in his first famous speech over the radio. I believe that speech was recorded on a vinyl record and one man in the castle saved that record from some military fanatics overnight and delivered it to the radio station on the next day to play it.

[@bjw4859]

It's interesting to see the differences between the way Germany was treated & the way Japan was treated after the war, Japan even got to keep their king & major political leaders without serious repercussions even after bombing the shit out of Pearl Harbour with no warning. The reasons were pretty obvious, America needed a new political ally all of it's own in that region to combat the USSR & it's allies. Ironically Germany is now one of the top economic powers in Europe, it's nice to see how great countries can rise up & flourish if they don't have some nutbag leaders wasting all their income on the next war.

[@kkpenney444]

What do you mean? Germany (Western) got off pretty easily, too, and was indeed saved in large part due to the Marshall Plan.

[@paulbrennan1268]

Loved the entirity of it. Thank you so much

[@mladenmatosevic4591]

Apparently, MacArthur was far better civilian administrator than general.

[@nerdistry]

3:21 Props to the editor for the 80's Seiya reference

[@martinschulz9381]

I often think back of the Japanese motorcycle invasion that I witnessed. They made phenomenally good low maintenance reliable advanced motorcycles that took the world by storm. There were the big four brands.....us boys had our favorite brand that we swore by.

[@matthewlundquist]

Suzuki gang for life 😂😂😂

[@brianpearson8782]

Macarthur realised the Emperor was an asset rather than an obstacle. The militarist government was terminated and a democratic system was introduced. In return for his freedom the Emperor had to travel all over Japan preaching how we will survive and how good to have an elected government. The population revered their Emperor and worked hard to adapt to his ways of Americiation including women to vote for the first time .

[@jasonrodgers9063]

At 11:41- The Japanese self defense force is created. Thank goodness! Just afterwards, they had to cope with Godzilla!!

[@twelvewingproductions7508]

The key to why Japan succeeded and China and Russia haven't... is that "Q" word Simon uses at 13:56. Quality. Something I remember growing up was that it wasn't just their knack for miniaturization... but the absolute quality of what they produced. There are things I still have from that era that work perfectly. Only the technology that surrounded them made them obsolete. I have little doubt that the little Panasonic TV I still have... will be functional and in some museum 100 years or more from now.