Episode 20 - Japan as Number One

In the History of Japan podcast, the speaker discusses Japan's economic resurgence after World War II, highlighting its rise to a major global economic power by the 1970s and 1980s. The episode explores the factors contributing to Japan's success, including strong export economy, government policies, and the shift towards consumer electronics. It also addresses challenges like the OPEC oil embargo and internal issues such as political corruption within the LDP, bureaucratic mismanagement, and social changes affecting family structures and the workforce. The podcast further examines the international perception of Japan, pressures to engage in global aid, and debates over military involvement, while also delving into the stresses faced by salarymen, students, and women in Japanese society. The episode concludes by noting the emergence of underlying problems despite Japan's apparent success, setting the stage for a discussion on the economic crisis of 1991 in the next episode and a change in the podcast's format.