JAPANESE INDUSTRY SINCE THE WAR.

This article focuses on the changes in the industrial sector in Japan during the period from 1930 to 1951. Japanese industry has undergone major structural changes during the period from 1930 to 1951. These changes are mainly due to the Second World War, and the shifts in the whole world economy during this period. The article focuses primarily on the machinery, chemical, and textile industries. These industries employ over half the workers in Japanese manufacturing industries. The prewar period of industrial development in Japan was marked by growth of the chemical and machinery industries at the expense of the lighter industries. Fabricated basic materials declined from 36 to 27 percent of all Japanese exports during the period from 1930 to 1936, while manufactured products increased from 47 to 58 percent. The output of machinery and chemicals continued to increase, although textile production was reduced to decrease nonmilitary imports. The difficulty of importing raw materials and the diversion of the chemical industry from fertilizers to explosives resulted in a 50 percent decrease in chemical output.