Question

Did Japan’s policy of rapid industrialisation lead to wars with its neighbours and destruction of the environment?

Answer 1

Rapid industrialization of Japan infused ideas of creating a modern nation which would also be able to protect itself from the European colonists. Along with it came their age old craving to create a colonial empire of their own. This intention led to wars with neighbouring countries. Japan, even though a smaller country, went in war with countries like China and Russia. Not only that, Japan emerged victorious in both cases. Japan’s modern army was unmatched in war. Japan took war further and attacked the Anglo-American army during World War 2. They attacked America at Pearl Harbour, in retaliation America dropped nuclear bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This lead to utter destruction of human lives and even the environment was harmed. Even after this horrendous attack, Japan pulled a post-war “miracle” and advanced in industrial and economic growth like no other nation. The 1964 Olympics hosted in Tokyo, and the bullet train was an example of Japans ability to produce better quality products at cheaper rates. But this industrial advancement came with a cost to the environment. Cased of cadmium poisoning, mercury poisoning, deforestation and environmental pollution emerged as there was no regard for environmental preservation. With efforts of the grass-roots pressure groups the government was made to reform its ideas and look towards making policies for environmental preservation.