What Foreign Pressure Could Do And What It Could Not Do In Japan Essay

What Foreign Pressure Could Do And What It Could Not Do In Japan - Essay Example It had declined to yield in several other instances. However, because of its high dependency on America for economical stability, Japan was keen to grant America what it demanded at some point. During the SII talks, the negotiators tackled several topics. These talks occurred on the same sitting and this makes it obvious that political changes did not affect its stand on many issues. The negotiations lasted for a year during which Japan defended its policies against the American criticism. America presented its compilation of demands to Japan. It is worth noting that Japan did not show any signs that it would cooperate on any of the issues under discussion. In the end, Japan agreed on American demands concerning macroeconomics and Japanese distribution system. Japan also yielded to some compromise concerning its land policy. Regarding their business practices, Japan made minimal concessions. However, Japan completely objected to make any policy change regarding the keiretsu business group. America had applied uniform pressure with threats to force Japan to make readjustments in most of their policies. However, Japan’s compromise to some demands and objection to others was clear evidence that foreign pressure cannot exert changes to some of its policies. One fact became evident: Japan has its limit in conceding to foreign demands. All the demands from the American side aimed at penetrating the Japanese market. The American government wanted the government to invest its savings on infrastructure and other public spending projects. The land policy issue sought to force the Japanese government to reduce the cost of urban land through change of tax policies. This would enable American investors to venture...Japan has had many trade policies that America feels are very restrictive. America has great interest in penetrating into the trade scene with Japan. Japan’s decision on whether to yield to the pressure has highly depended on its domestic situations . The author of the book helps the reader analyze how much foreign pressure can achieve in Japan. In addition, the author brings out new ways in which the American government could have put into place to achieve its demands. The author highlights two case studies in the book that help the reader understand the effect of foreign pressure on Japan (Schoppa 10). One of these studies is the ‘Structural Impediments initiatives talks’ headed by President Bush. Earlier in 1988, America had described the unfairness in trade relationship with Japan. The book elaborates the American demands at the time and the threats coming along with the demands. Foreign pressure has had immense results in Japan several times. From history, policy change in Japan comes under the influence of foreign pressure. It is clear that foreign pressure did not prove to have the potential to force Japan to change all of its policies. According to Schoppa, it is possible that the negotiation tactics of the two governments were different.