North America, 1983
North America Council, 1983: Both before World War II and immediately after the government of Japan was turned back to the Japanese by the occupation forces, Japan’s GNP was one-third that of France. Today, the GNP of Japan more than doubles the French GNP. What happened in the 25 years from 1957 to 1982? Certainly this remarkable change in national productivity cannot be laid entirely at the feet of some unique cultural characteristics. The same culture existed in 1940. Obviously, the cultural heritage is there, and it is important. But something new must have been added to bring about this dynamic growth.