Events and trends from 1980s Japan transformed the nation into the eye-catching, dynamic and exciting society we see today. The 80s dictated the end of the Shōwa Era, following the death of Hirohito, also known as Emperor Shōwa. The 80s in Japan also witnessed the creation of Super Mario, the emergence of Japanese street fashion, and Japan’s desire for economic prosperity, to name a few.
From the 1950s through the 1980s, Japan had an exceptional period of economic success. For example, a single square foot in Tokyo fetched as much as $140,000! To put things in perspective, the whole state of California was worth less than the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. In addition, the property market in Japan was four times as valuable as that in the United States during the 1980s.
Despite all this, the decade saw Japan let loose and party like there’s no tomorrow. As the “free-thinking” stages of the 1970s had just been established, music and fashion changed as the Japanese discovered their dancing shoes as the nation was about to enter their most exciting period.
Overall, the Japanese people during the 1980s juggled the nation’s economic success, mixed with the rise of Japanese technology advancements and the delicious spread of Westernised pop culture that paved the way for the future of Japan.
- The Economy of Japan in the 1980’s
- Japanese as a Global Technology Manufacturing Leader
- The Shift and Boom of Japanese Pop Culture
The Economy of Japan in the 1980’s
To comprehend what living was like in 1980s Japan, one must first understand how the nation became the world’s second-largest economy.
After World War II, the Japanese economy was in disarray, which sparked a recovery mechanism among the people of Japan to work hard, save money, and bring together moral obligations to thrive on work ethics and community.
The Japanese Economy Miracle
The Japanese economy grew by 9% annually between 1955 and 1973. The period 1973 to 1990 had an annual growth rate of 4%, which labelled these striving decades as Japan’s “Economic Miracle.”
Manufacturing, agriculture, and construction went through the roof for economic growth. As a result, increasing wealth became apparent as Japanese families paid a high price for a good living.
Compared to the following decades, Japan’s unemployment rate was 4.9% which was relatively low. Manufacturing companies thrived, making Japan the second-largest global manufacturing output, just behind the United States.
Japan’s 1980s Bubble Burst
Industries such as construction and the automobile industry were soaring, which produced record-breaking salaries and employment opportunities. During Ronald Reagan’s presidency, the US restricted the importation of Japanese automobiles to protect the American automobile sector, which accounts for a significant component of the US economy.
Japan was like today’s China in terms of manufacturing and output, with many products stamped ‘Made in Japan.’ As the western world experienced the phase of pop culture, mixed with the evolutionary wheel of music, fashion, and TV, fresh attitudes and social norms made their way into Japanese society with a fresh coat of paint.
After the signing of the Plaza Accord in September 1985, the Japanese Yen swiftly strengthened against the US Dollar. Consequently, the Bank of Japan dropped interest rates. Because of this, the Bank of Japan dropped interest rates to a record-low 2.5%. As a result, credit opened up like never before. Thus, everyone flocked to Japanese banks for easy loans, sparking the economic bubble that eventually burst.
As the 80s progressed, increased wealth led to more spending on leisure, nightlife, luxury goods, fashion, and cars.
The Strengthening of Japanese-Western Ties
In the 1980s, Japan’s relationship with the West, especially the US and Europe, involved economic rivalry, cultural exchange, and alliances. Japan’s rapid economic growth during this period led to both admiration and tension in the West.
The tension between Japan and the West during this time revolved mostly around the economy of Japan, and how powerful it grew after World War II. As a global economic powerhouse, Japanese companies dominated industries like electronics and automobiles that challenged the economy of the West, making them a threat to international industries.
Despite the fear of Japan’s rising economy, the United States admired the Japanese for their efficiency and innovation. This admiration led to a major cultural exchange between Japan and the West in the 1980s, especially in pop culture. Disneyland in 1983, the first Disney Park to be built outside of the United States.
Pop Culture Fusion
Japan embraced many aspects of Western culture, such as fashion, music, and cinema. Western films grew popular in Japan, thus leading to a fascination for Hollywood celebrities. Japanese ad firms were eager to partner with Hollywood faces to promote their products and brands. For a long time, Japan’s advertising sector was one of the biggest in the world. So naturally, advertising agencies were willing to write hefty checks to Hollywood’s finest for dancing around like monkeys.
Although some commercials seemed downright nuts, Western models and actors were more than willing to appear in these silly yet sensational Japanese commercials. Celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tommy Lee Jones, Brooke Shields, and Claude Van Damme, to name a few, have featured in Japanese commercials while promoting everything, from shampoo to energy drinks.
On the other hand, Japanese pop culture began to expand in the Western world, especially in the industry of video games. Video games from companies like Nintendo and Sega became household names worldwide – such as Super Mario and Sonic The Hedgehog. Western audiences began to appreciate Japanese art, design, and entertainment.
A Shift in Japanese Work Culture
Because of the country’s rapid economic growth and desire for material wealth, the 1980’s had a long-lasting effect on Japanese work culture, shaping Japan’s intense corporate environment we are familiar with today.
In the 1980’s, Japanese employers pursued the further implementation of the ‘permanent employment’ system, also known as Shūshin koyō. This system enabled employees to work for their company for a long time, usually until retirement. In return, the employers would offer job security, stable wages, and other benefits that would motivate the workers to stay.
At the same time, Japanese companies would also incorporate the seniority-wage system or the Nenkō joretsu which meant promoting employees based on seniority rather than merit. Employees were rewarded for their length of service rather than their individual performance, further reinforcing loyalty and long-term commitment to the company.
The Corporate Grind
Because of these systems, Japan highly valued having a strong sense of loyalty to one’s company. In many cases, Japanese employees saw their companies as a ‘second family,’ thus devoting their lives to the success of the company. This led to many Japanese workers dedicating the majority of their time and energy at work.
With Japanese employees working overtime and sacrificing their personal lives for their companies, a Japanese term emerged called ‘karōshi,’ which translates to ‘death from overwork.’ Japanese workers had a tendency to “work themselves to death,” eventually suffering from severe health problems or even dying due to stress from working too much.
The Lost Decades
Following Japan’s peak in the 1980s, the nation faced one of the worst economic disasters in history. In 1991, the economic bubble burst, ending years of steady growth.
Stock prices dropped 60% from late 1989 to August 1992, and by 2001, they had fallen 70%. Japan’s economy grew at just 1.14% annually from 1991 to 2003, lagging behind other advanced nations.
Many Japanese saved more and spent less, lowering demand and causing deflation. Companies could no longer guarantee lifetime employment or offer generous benefits, hurting the job market.
Banks tried to ease the crisis by lowering interest rates, but low inflation and unemployment had already taken hold. Many financial institutions collapsed, and the banking sector struggled to recover.
The economic crisis signaled the end of Japan’s 1980s boom. The Lost Decades, which stretched into the early 2000s, left a lasting mark on Japan’s economy and society, ushering in a new era.
Japanese as a Global Technology Manufacturing Leader
In 1985, Japan held the Tsukuba Expo 85 which was a specialised World Expo that focused on science and technology. This was a key event for Japan, coming at the height of its economic bubble burst to present itself as a global manufacturing leader and showcase the country’s technological advancements.
During this peak time in Japan, the world’s consumer market was well-stocked with Japanese vehicles, tools, and every device imaginable, with a steady stream of wealth flowing into an already prospering economy.
The Innovations of the Japanese Electronics Industry
One of the key advancements in Japanese technology was the growth of the Japanese electronics industry. The innovations from Japanese electronics companies like Sony, Panasonic, and Toshiba transformed the global technology scene.
For instance, in February 1980, the world witnessed the release of the first portable cassette player – the Sony Walkman. Sony’s success was record-breaking as over 200 million cassette players were sold. The release of the Sony Walkman meant music was no longer a selected setting, meaning sounds could be enjoyed anywhere at any time, changing music forever.
Similarly, the CD (Compact Disc) was also an invention of Japan, developed through a collaboration between Sony and Philips in 1982. CD’s, along with the CD player, changed the game of listening to music, providing superior sound quality and easy-to-use technology. This type of digital format revolutionised the music industry by offering digital audio.
Another significant innovation was the introduction of handheld camcorders, with the release of the first camcorder by Sony in 1983. Along with Sony, other Japanese electronics companies such as Panasonic developed portable video cameras that used compact video cassettes to record personal videos. These devices set a new standard for video recording.
The Rise of Japanese Automobiles
One of the peak Japanese technology advancements in the 1980’s was the production of Japanese automobiles. During this period, Japanese automobile companies such as Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and Mazda established themselves as global manufacturing leaders because of how innovative, efficient, and affordable their cars were.
Japan excelled at producing cars that were affordable and reliable compared to many American and European models thanks to the extensive research Japanese automakers would invest in to produce cutting-edge technologies for their cars. At the same time, Japanese cars were known to be fuel-efficient, a crucial factor during this era that followed after the oil crises of the 1970’s.
Once the Japanese government enabled industrial growth and promoted exports, Japanese automobile companies expanded aggressively into foreign markets, particularly North America and Europe. Up to this day, Japanese automobile brands still remain in demand.
The Shift and Boom of Japanese Pop Culture
1980s Japan was a vibrant and significant period for Japanese pop culture, especially when it comes to music, fashion, and animation. With hints of Western influences, Japan’s pop culture has created a name for itself that still appeals to global audiences today.
The Era of Japanese City Pop Music
To accompany the new lifestyle brought forth by audio players and cutting-edge car entertainment systems, Japan stumbled upon an exciting, fresh sound tailor-made to the nation’s economic success story – City Pop. Although titled pop, this new, exciting genre was a combination of various categories like Funk, Soft-Rock, Jazz, Boogie and R&B.
Artists like Tatsuro Yamashita, Mariya Takeuchi, and Anri were some of the leading figures in the Japanese city pop genre. Even until now, songs like Mariya Takeuchi’s “Plastic Love” have become a fan favourite globally thanks to online music platforms such as Youtube and Spotify. City Pop continues to inspire a time of nostalgia still celebrated today.
Most Japanese city pop songs revolve around themes of city romance, summer love, and the exciting nightlife. Eventually, city pop became the soundtrack of urban Japan, as these sounds were waving through Japanese radio, including city life bars and clubs.
With the perfect combo of city pop and the economic boom, Japanese citizens were ready to celebrate by splurging on Western-themed extravagances as Tokyo’s nightlife scene went off. Districts like Ginza and Shinjuku were Tokyo’s playground. The youth showcased among the many Japanese nightclubs catered to this newfound subculture of disco lights, revealing clothes and fresh disco beats.
Iconic 80’s Japanese Fashion
The 70s marked Western culture’s “free-thinking” phase, where young people explored openness and social change. The decade also witnessed the rise of Japan’s fashion craze, with Western influence being showcased front and center throughout fashion hubs like Shibuya, Harajuku and Shinjuku.
As Japan continued through the 1980’s, fashion joined the celebration by adding a unique element to the 1970s free-spirited approach. It introduced new looks that went well with city nightlife, which complemented Japan’s 1980s fashion trend known as BODIKON (ボディコン) – Body Conscious. The term emphasized women’s clothing as a well-fitted tread style that showcases the natural curves of the female figure.
80s Japanese fashion also experimented on different styles, birthing the iconic street fashion in Tokyo where young people explored bold and outlandish clothing as a way to reject traditional norms in favour of individuality and self-expression. Japanese youth also embraced punk fashion during this period, sporting leather jackets and ripped jeans.
The popular Japanese concept of kawaii, defined as ‘cute’ or ‘adorable,’ became more mainstream in Japan, emphasising on clothes that embraced cuteness and femininity. Kawaii fashion became a significant cultural trend in the 1980s, becoming an essential part in Japanese pop culture.
The Golden Age of Anime
If you’re familiar with these 80s Japanese cartoons – Dragon Ball (1986), Akira (1988), and Mobile Suit Gundam (1979/1980), you can definitely see why the 1980’s was considered the golden age of anime. This was a period of significant creative expansion, innovation, and widespread popularity for Japanese animation that introduced anime to global audiences.
Because of the technological advancements during the period, Japanese animators were able to explore and improve on different animation techniques and tools, experimenting on colours, lighting, and dynamic camera angles.
The visuals of Japanese animation became smoother and more detailed. Eventually, anime began to create its own art and visual style, introducing us to more iconic 80s Japanese cartoons such as Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), Macross (1982), and Saint Seiya (1986).
With the Japanese economy booming, anime became a dominant cultural force in Japan during the 1980s with an increased investment in this form of entertainment. The 1980s was a transformative period in anime history, laying the foundation for modern anime.
The Eternal Decade
As the disco lights dimmed, the good times of 1980s Japan dried up as the country’s economic woes became apparent. Of course, the memories were still there, but individuals had to deal with more pressing issues than deciding which Ginza nightclub to enjoy or which pair of designer shoes to wear next.
Nonetheless, the 1980s left an eternal impact on the country’s identity as the fascinating culture we continue to explore today. The 80s witnessed everything from technological miracles and musical icons to a revolution in social change and pop culture.
Japan Nakama decided to dig deeper into this revolutionary period that profoundly impacted Japanese society and many aspects of our own daily lives, especially in today’s on-demand, digital world. The iconic decade is filled with memorable experiences for those lucky enough to enjoy such a fruitful period, creating nostalgia among our cherished readers as we explore this unique land and culture.
