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 The Occupation Army Lands at Otaru Harbor  Iron Pot Recycled from a Helmet
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【１】The theme of this room is "The Postwar Period". Hokkaido's history from 1945 to the 1960's is examined here. World War II ended in 1945, leaving tremendous damage in its wake, not only throughout Japan, but in neighboring countries. In the postwar confusion, Japanese productivity fell dramatically, and shortages of food and other necessities became severe. Rampant inflation only added to the people's misery. 【２】What resulted was a fundamental restructuring of Japanese society. The Allied Nations, mainly the American Occupation Army, implemented a series of reforms to demilitarize and democratize Japan, including promulgating a new constitution, dissolving the "zaibatsu" (financial combines), expelling war-responsible officials from their public posts, and redistributing farmland. Basic human rights, including women's suffrage and freedom of speech, were recognized. Political parties and labor unions became active. 【３】Meanwhile, returning soldiers and repatriates added to the numbers of the unemployed. To assist them, and to help increase food production, the Hokkaido government initiated a plan to accept a great many settlers. Because the project was not sufficiently funded, however, and because the land given to the new settlers tended to be poor, life for them was extremely difficult. |
 A Development Project House of a Public Housing Supply Corporation (model) |
【４】Since 1952, on the other hand, the national government had been active in supporting Hokkaido development in recognition of the island's resources and importance to the nation's total economy. The Japanese government promulgated its Hokkaido Comprehensive Development Plan under which projects were initiated in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, mineral resources, and road, harbor and airport construction. Industries in Hokkaido received a great boost from this, and, in the 1960's, grew remarkably. New social problems soon arose, however, as the result of a collapse of the herring industry, cut-backs in coal mining due to changes in energy usage, and overpopulation and depopulation as people moved from farms and fishing villages to urban areas. 【５】With economic growth and technological innovation came changes in the lifestyles of Hokkaido people. Synthetic fibers came into use in clothing; there were further advances in cold-weather housing design and construction; electric appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, and televisions became common, as well as automobiles. Winter and snow--previously thought of as obstacles to be overcome--became positive elements to be exploited and enjoyed. Winter sports, recreation, and tourism were on the rise. |
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