Japan and the Cold War, 1952-1991
H1 History - syllabus 8838, 2027
How the Japan-USA alliance was built and strained by security, domestic politics and trade, and how Japan engaged China and Southeast Asia.
- From occupation to alliance, 1945-1952
The Cold War turned the US occupation of Japan from reform to recovery, and ended with a peace treaty and a security treaty in 1951.
- The Yoshida Doctrine and domestic divisions
Japan relied on the US for security and focused on growth, while domestic politics limited its military role.
- Sharing the defence burden
The USA pressed Japan to do more for its own defence; Japan moved slowly, spending about 1 per cent of GNP until the late 1980s.
- Economic relations: aid, trade and market access
The USA helped Japan recover and opened its market, but Japan's success led to serious trade friction from the 1970s.
- Japan's engagement with China
Japan followed the USA in recognising Taiwan, kept trade with the mainland, then normalised relations with Beijing in 1972 after the Nixon shock.
- Japan's engagement with Southeast Asia
Japan used reparations, aid, trade and investment to rebuild ties with Southeast Asia, and in 1977 promised partnership without military power.
- Put it together: What kind of ally was Japan?
Choose a lens to see how Japan responded to the Cold War.
What you will be able to do
I can judge how China's and Japan's relations with the USA and the USSR changed during the Cold War.
Syllabus 8838, Theme II, Learning Outcomes. evaluate the development of China's and Japan's relations with the superpowers during the Cold War
Taught in From occupation to alliance, 1945-1952, Sharing the defence burden
I can judge which factors shaped China's and Japan's relations with the superpowers.
Syllabus 8838, Theme II, Learning Outcomes. evaluate the factors that shaped China's and Japan's relations with the superpowers during the Cold War
Taught in The Yoshida Doctrine and domestic divisions, Economic relations: aid, trade and market access
I can judge how China and Japan responded as the Cold War changed.
Syllabus 8838, Theme II, Learning Outcomes. evaluate the responses of China and Japan to the development of the Cold War
Taught in Japan's engagement with China, Japan's engagement with Southeast Asia