Masayuki Takayama traces Japan’s rise through learning and adaptation, beginning with Rudyard Kipling’s awe at Osaka Castle. From aviation and automobiles to nuclear power, the essay argues that Japan’s recovery—and future—has repeatedly depended on strategic partnership with Britain.

2017-04-22
The following is from the March 9 issue of the well-regarded column published in Shukan Shincho by Masayuki Takayama, the one and only journalist of the postwar world.
A Renewed Anglo-Japanese Alliance.
Rudyard Kipling visited Osaka Castle in April of Meiji 22 (1889).
“It was a day veiled in light rain,” according to Kipling’s Discovery of Japan.
He marveled at the magnificent curves of the stone walls of Osaka Castle and was overwhelmed by the beauty of the castle complex, including the main keep.
Then, at his lodging in Osaka, he predicted the future of this warm-hearted, dexterous people, saying that “one day they will become a nation of factories making buttons and hooks under the United States.”
In fact, at that time Burma was on the verge of being annexed by Britain, and the Kingdom of Hawaii by the United States.
Once that was done, he was convinced that the United States would next take Japan, boasting of its success in forcing the country open.
But Japan persevered.
It pursued a policy of enriching the nation and strengthening the military, acquired the power to defeat China, and avoided becoming an American colony.
Furthermore, Japan formed the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, fought Russia, defeated it, and secured an unshakable position.
Even so, its industrial level was still low.
Every battleship used in the Russo-Japanese War was imported from Europe.
The Yawata Steel Works, Mitsubishi Shipyard, and Hashima coal mine—now registered as Meiji Industrial Heritage sites by UNESCO—only began operating in earnest in the late 1890s.
However, the dexterity and diligence of the Japanese people became a valuable asset.
Ford and GM had vehicles manufactured in Japan using the knockdown method.
Impressed by this skill, they also placed orders for parts manufacturing.
American aircraft manufacturers followed suit.
The precision parts produced under contract were of high quality.
Engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney even subcontracted engine assembly to Japan.
While those at the top in the United States viewed Japan as a potential enemy and devised strategies accordingly, manufacturers showed little sense of caution.
“What can those yellow people do?”
Japan welcomed subcontracting work that provided access to cutting-edge technology.
And it carefully studied everything from structure to materials.
As a result, Toyota brought to market a three-liter engine car comparable to Ford’s.
In aviation, Japan produced the Type 93 trainer, known as the “Red Dragonfly.”
All of this was thanks to the United States.
As a token of gratitude, Japan presented three “Red Dragonfly” aircraft to the U.S. government.
Japanese-made.
When they tested it with a skeptical attitude—wondering whether it could really fly—it proved extremely stable and easy to handle.
Though somewhat cheeky, they copied it outright and produced the PT-17 trainer.
Naturally, it became a bestseller.
At this point, had the United States seriously examined Japan’s aviation capabilities—had it recognized the latent potential to produce the Zero fighter—it might have avoided the miserable defeats at the start of the war.
Incidentally, Japanese aircraft heading toward Pearl Harbor flew in formation with “American-made Red Dragonflies.”
A 22-year-old female flight instructor, Cornelia Fort, was startled by the surrounding formation of bombers, hastily climbed, and saw the rising sun insignia painted on their wings.
She thus became the first witness to Japanese aircraft.
As a further aside, in the final year of the war the Type 93 trainer took off on suicide missions carrying 250-kilogram bombs and sank the 2,000-ton destroyer Callaghan.
After the war, the United States grew wary of Japan’s ability to learn.
It therefore banned all research and development in automobiles and aircraft.
It did not even allow knockdown production.
This policy did not change even after Japan regained sovereignty.
At that time, Japan remembered the Anglo-Japanese Alliance.
Relying on Britain, knockdown production of Hillman and Austin vehicles began at companies such as Nissan.
Thanks to this, Japan’s automobile industry revived and has now entered the U.S. market, largely dominating it.
The United States also banned all nuclear research.
It even prohibited the introduction of nuclear power generation.
This was because Japan possesses the right to retaliate with two nuclear strikes against the United States.
But even assurances that “it depends on your actions” failed to persuade them.
So once again, Japan turned to Britain and introduced British-made reactors.
The United States reluctantly agreed.
It decided to provide Japan with “better light-water reactors.”
Today, Britain is in difficulty.
As repayment for the help it has given us, how about renewing the Anglo-Japanese Alliance?