Conclusion: Non-Performing Reforms

Since the end of the Second World War, Japan has achieved remarkable economic growth. Yet its socio-political system has not developed at the same pace to support the internal social changes that have resulted from this growth. Although their circumstances have changed dramatically, Japanese citizens are still locked into a system that resembles the pre-war model. The ministries concentrated their energies on planning policies that would accelerate Japan’s economy to enable the country to catch up with the United States and become a world economic power. Sadly, at that time little analysis was given to how economic growth would affect Japan’s socio-political system. An example that aptly illustrates this oversight is the government’s allocation of fiscal stimulus packages for public works. Hundred of miles of roads, highways and bridges were built, providing construction companies with lucrative contracts and employment for thousands of workers, but at that time no consideration was given to how the new infrastructure would serve the Japanese populace, let alone the ultimate costs of maintenance. In other words, infrastructure was built for the sake of being built.