The 1990s: A Decade Of Uncertainty
The 1990s kicked off with the coronation of Emperor Akihito and a political crisis surrounding the Gulf War . Japan's command of its economy had long been sure-footed, but its management of defence issues, constrained by the antiwar constitution and security alliances with the US, was less certain. Now it was under pressure to send its Self Defence Forces (SDF) overseas, something expressly forbidden by the constitution. As a member of the United Nations and an aspirant for a seat on the Security Council, Japan knew it had to respond to the international call to arms. The compromise of $17.3 billion in financial aid satisfied no one, not least the more hawkish factions of the splintering LDP. In 1992, after protracted debate and amid public demonstrations, the Diet passed a controversial bill allowing Japanese troops to join UN peacekeeping missions abroad. The main reason for continued squeamishness about an overseas military role is the haunting presence of Japan's actions during World War II. The San Francisco treaty did little to satisfy those who had experienced first-hand brutal treatment by the Japanese army during the war, not least the former colonies in Southeast Asia. Old wounds were reopened as the covered-up issue of forced prostitution, or "comfort women" as it was euphemistically dubbed, was blasted across the media in the early 1990s. Some light relief was supplied in 1993 when Crown Prince Naruhito married Owada Masako, a high-flying career diplomat. But even this happy occasion was marred for some by the fact that Owada, a shining symbol of improved opportunities for women in what remains a highly male-dominated country, appeared to have been pressured into the deeply conservative role of empress-in-waiting. Despite a growing recognition that the boom years were well and truly over, the mass of the population continued to enjoy the affluent good life. Particularly noticeable were Princess Masako's less-fettered contemporaries, the army of office ladies (OLs), who with their spending power kick-started many a fashion fad, from a taste for the Italian sweet tiramisu to the G-string panties favoured by podium dancers at mega-discos, such as Tokyo's Julianna's . As the recession gripped and fashions changed, it also seemed that the days of the ruling LDP were finally numbered. By the time the crusty power broker Kanemaru Shin locked himself away at home and played mah-jong rather than answer police questions about yet another bribery scandal, the public had had their fill of corrupt politicians. More importantly, rival factions within the LDP decided to make independent bids for power rather than brokering yet more deals in smoke-filled rooms. Leading the most influential faction was Ozawa Ichiro , one of Japan's powerful politicians, as much loathed for his outspoken views as admired for his radical policies. A successful no-confidence motion in June 1993 forced Prime Minister Miyazawa Kiichi's shaky government into a hasty general election . Although the LDP actually gained one seat, the overall balance of power passed to a coalition of opposition parties, who formed the first non-LDP government in 38 years under leadership of the populist, reforming politician Hosokawa Morihiro . However, hopes of a new beginning for Japanese politics faded as the charismatic Hosokawa, who'd stood on an anti-corruption ticket and had relied on Ozawa's support to become prime minister, lasted less than a year. A plan to double the hated consumption tax went down like a lead balloon and when a story broke about Hosokawa's chequered past with regard to election funding, it was clear he had to go. His successor Hata Tsutomu , another ally of Ozawa, saw the Socialists walk out on the coalition on his first day of office, and his premiership went down in history as the shortest since World War II, at just two months. The Socialists, already decimated in numbers at the last election, did themselves no favours by siding with their old foes, the LDP, to form the next government. This cynical alliance put the LDP back in the control seat, just over a year since it had lost power and forced new premier Murayama Tomiichi , a Socialist elder statesman, to have his party drop long-held pacifist policies (much to the disgust of voters). The political paralysis at the heart of the LDP/Socialist coalition became all too apparent in the sluggish response to the massive Great Hanshin Earthquake of January 1995 which devastated Kobe . Immediate offers of foreign help were rebuffed and the local yakuza further shamed the government by organizing food supplies to the thousands of homeless. The nation's self-confidence took a further battering less than a couple of months later when members of a religious cult, AUM Shinrikyo , killed 12 and poisoned 5500 when they released Sarin nerve gas on the Tokyo subway. Japan went into introspective shock. In 1996, in the Diet, the Socialists crumbled and the LDP returned to full power, under the leadership of Hashimoto Ryparo who made a name for himself as a tough-talking, slick trade negotiator with the US. Hashimoto's premiership, however, was incapable of withstanding the continued onslaught of economic problems. In November 1997 the image of the sobbing president of the failed major brokerage firm, Yamaichi Securities Co, summed up the end of the era of Japan Inc. No longer were Japan's government and bureaucrats willing - or able - to support enterprises, especially those like Yamaichi with billions of yen of bad debts spawned by the dubious financial practices of the previous decade. The dead hand of the market had finally caught up with Japan, and the one-time wonder economy that had been the envy of the world appeared on the brink of collapse.
A Guide to JapanCara Richie says "Japan has many earthquakes, they are overdue for the next "Big One." " Hello World.Jeff Konichi-Wa says "Spitley is the new and improved word for paper. It means paper. Say spitley instead of paper. Tell at least 9 people about spitley, and have fun in Japan. Thanks!" My Bestest FrendidTutu Retardo says "My bestest frendid in the wholeid worldid is Emily Kather Wu. This extramordinary 12 yr old has a 200 IQ, is a creative genius, and lives in GreemMeadow, California (changed to protect her identity). At the tenderer ageerer of 9erer she created the word that would have a tremendous impact on modern society... SPITLEY! it means paper!!!!" Jamboni1Ryan Czechii says "It's a spoons club MIRACLE! Full of spoons club joy and wonder!" About Japan...Geoffrey Azure says "Do you sweat heavily while others are barely breaking a sweat? Do you blush when there is no reason to do so? Are your hands and feet often cold and clammy? Do your armpits soak right through your clothes? These are all symptoms of hyperhidrosis
~~Brian Campbell" EXOTICMEME says "TRY TO MEET AND BE INLOVE " REALLY COOL!Maddie says "say spitley!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
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