Business-Government Relations in Prewar Japan (Routledge Studies in the Modern History of Asia)

For the business and government relationship in Japan, the pre-war period was an era of considerable change. Framed by Japan’s nation-building efforts, the relationship adapted and evolved with the often fluid economic and political circumstances. As both business and government had vested interests in the direction and success of Japan’s industrialization process, on one level they became partners. At the same time, though, they were both stakeholders in the fiercely competitive iron and steel industry. This book explores how that partner-competitor relationship worked during the amalgamation of this strategic industry from 1916 to 1934, demonstrating how both parties engaged in meaningful negotiation through the open forum of the Shingikai - or Councils of Deliberation - throughout the pre-war period. Drawing upon the original minutes of the debates, it shows the ways in which the participants defended their vested interests and sought to forge agreement, taking the forum seriously as a means of influencing outcomes, and not simply as a mere exercise of artifice deployed to shroud the real locus of decision-making. Business-Government Relations in Prewar Japan is an important contribution to the literature on the relationship between government and business in pre-war Japan. Economics, Finance, Business & Industry Book Cover 1 Title 6 Copyright 7 Contents 8 Tables 9 Preface 10 Acknowledgements 13 1 Introduction 16 2 Historical legacy, learning and independence in the business and government relationship 26 3 Channels of communication 44 4 The war years, 1916–1917 59 5 Coping with the immediate postwar economic chaos, 1919–1921 82 6 Towards amalgamation, 1921–1934 125 7 Conclusions 158 Notes 163 Bibliography 177 Index 189 Historical Legacy, Learning And Independence In The Business And Government Relationship -- Channels Of Communication -- The War Years, 1916-1917 -- Coping With The Immediate Postwar Economic Chaos, 1919-1921 -- Towards Amalgamation, 1921-1934. Peter Von Staden. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [162]-173) And Index.