In what sense was Japan pivotal in the economic transformation of East Asia?

Role of Japan in the Economic Transformation of East Asia

Introduction

The expansion in the East Asian economies in the last two decades is quite significant considering the economic changes happened after the ending of the World War II . During the period from 1965-1990 there has been a tremendous increase in the Gross National Product (GDP ) of the East Asian countries to the tune of more than 5 percent per year . This increase is much higher than those of Latin America (1 .8 percent ) and even the OECD countries (2 .4 percent

(Niels Hermes , 1997 ) During the period 1965-1990 considering the average growth in per-capital GDP six out of seven fastest growing economies were in the region of East Asia In the economic progress during this period Japan was the first nation that could successfully industrialize its economy at par with many other industrialized Western countries . In to avoid the aggression over other Asian countries including China and to compete with strength with the Western nations , Japan adopted the lead role for overcoming the socio-economic and cultural backwardness of the region as a whole Though the efforts of Japan was interrupted by its surrender to allies in the war , after the year 1950 through changes in diplomatic and economic strategies Japan became the second largest economy in the world . The economic growth of Japan paved the way for other East Asian economies to get stronger by the `flying geese ' strategy . This describes the role Japan played in the...