Diligence and Thrift

Efforts at moral suasion in public life

German inspiration for pro-active Japanese bureaucracy

1880s Bismark: combat revolutionary socialism with state socialism– Workers given health insurance, disability and

old age pensions– Regulation of labor conditions

Younger Historical School of Economics (1872 Verein für Sozialpolitik)

• Reaction against classic liberalism:– Universalist

rationalism

– Abstract reasoning

– Individualism

– Internationalism

• Against socialism

• Emphasis on:– Historical basis of social

conditions– Ethical interest in whole

society, social harmony, national greatness, cultural creativity

– Intervention by state as the highest institution of morality; socially conscious monarch and bureaucracy

– Unabashed nationalism

Influences on Japanese theorists• “Social Monarchy: Hermann Roesler 1887 memo

on constitution, “To overcome class conflict and to maintain an ethical political attitude that places the welfare of the whole above class interests, the institution of hereditary monarchy is of inestimable value.”

• In Japan’s case, Japanese bureaucrats advocated preventive action. E.g., 1891 Kanai Noboru (1865-1933), “If workers are treated like beasts, then after several decades unions and socialism will appear. If now we concentrate on protection we can prevent unions and the spread of socialism.”[Kenneth Pyle, “Advantages of Followership,” JJS 1 (1974): 127-64.]

Concrete policy measures advocated(Kuwata Kumazô, 1868-1932)

• Factory regulations inre hours/conditions, women and child labor

• Tenancy regulations

• Poor relief laws

• Compulsory worker’s insurance

• Credit cooperatives

• Progressive tax policies

• Local Improvement Movement

• Home Ministry

• 1900-1918

• Many policies, including a Central Hôtokukai in 1906

• “thought guidance” (shisô zendô)

Ninomiya Sontoku (1787-1856)

Industrial Welfare Association posters

• 1930s blue collar family ideal?• 1932; 1930; 1936

Industrial Welfare Association posters

• Women as productive factory workers• 1934; 1934

Industrial Welfare Association posters

• Women as productive in the home and neighborhood: 1929; 1931

Japanese postal service posters

• 1933: “Gather round, Calesthenics for Health: Radio Taiso, 5 years”

• 1936: “March 10: Day for Diligence and Thrift Savings”

British WWI posters(Roger N. Mohovich Collection, Georgetown University)

• 1917, 1919 war posters