A Look Back at History: Japan's Economic Miracle

A Brief History on Japan’s Economy

Following their defeat in World War II, Japan began a rebuilding process at incredible speed. This economic burst was downright miraculous. Much of this boom was accredited to American investments, however it’s Japan’s government that truly deserves most of the credit. They created a new revolutionary system of economic intervention and international trade that skyrocketed their overall GDP. They had cooperation from all sectors within the country and were able to spread their business overseas.

For nearly three decades, Japan prospered as a country of thriving commerce. By 1968 they had become the world’s 2nd largest economy, behind the United States. However by the 1980s their economy simply began to grow too large, and by 1991 their economic success had finally came to an abrupt end. The 90s were a period of economic decline. Reform was needed to get things moving again. This decade was referred to as the Lost Decade in Japan’s Economy. However by 2003, the country was once again able to raise their GDP thanks to new economic policies.

Japan’s Economy Today

Today, Japan is the third largest economy in the world, behind the United States and China. They have especially thrived in the auto and electronics industries. Here in the states, I can’t help but notice when driving, that nearly half the cars I see are Japanese cars; Toyota, Honda, or Nissan. They have also stamped their legacy on many successful electronic brands such as Canon, Panasonic, and Sony. Their products have streamlined into practically every major national commerce. They have thus become one of the front-runners in global business.

Current Film Review: Tron Legacy

Although I'd never seen the original Tron made in 1982, I remember studying the film in my Telecommunications classes at IU, for it's groundbreaking graphics and being one of the first films to use computer animation. So of course it would come as no surprise that it's sequel would go above and beyond this reputation. I watched the film last night in 3d, and was quite impressed with the production. It is definitely meant to be a visual pleaser, very high on special effects. Once Sam Flynn enters the "Grid", inside the video game world, the film really comes alive and puts you there in the action. It's a visual roller coast, from one incredible sequence to another. The story moves very quick, in order to emphasize these visuals, full of intense yet also realistic color. The soundtrack was also not half bad, mostly electronica, and of course Daft Punk themselves, who serve as slight characters in the film. My only complaint was the CGI enhanced version of Jeff Bridges, who served as the antagonist in the film, named Clu. This digital character looked a little too fake for my liking, and think they should have found a different way to portray the part. However Olivia Wilde, an actress I'd never even heard of, made up for this discrepancy, and truly came alive in the film. She brought an additional visual appeal, much thanks to her likable character, and of course her exotic eyes. The film is just Sci-Fi, at it's best; cool characters, vehicles, fight-sequences, the works... and what can I say, I'm a Sci-Fi nerd!

Looking Back at History: The Rwandan Genocide

So of course as always my interest in a topic is usually inspired from a good movie... This recent interest in the historical affairs of Rwanda comes from the 2005 film Hotel Rwanda starring Don Cheadle. Although I'd seen it before, I hadn't put much attention into it, until this recent second viewing. The movie tells of the true account of a hotel manager named Paul Rusesabagina, who saved over 1200 refugees during the Rwandan Genocide. During the powerful film I was amazed at the mere fact that this historical event happened only 15 years ago, whilst I was alive, and I hardly know anything about it. What are the Hutus and the Tutsis? What caused this great political tension? And why did the United States, the United Nations, and the world governments hardly do a thing about it....

The Origins of the Hutu and Tutsi

So my biggest question is what exactly determines a Hutu from a Tutsi? Is it a difference of religion, similar to the Sunni's and Shiites? Is it a political difference, similar to the Democrats and Republicans. Or is it an ethnic difference, similar to blacks and whites... However there's the obvious fact that both Hutu and Tutsi are the same color, and hardly have any significant ethnic or cultural difference whatsoever! Some claim that there are slight differences in height, nose, or skin color yet this seems very difficult to distinguish. Therefore the only real identifiable difference between the Hutu and Tutsi is social class. The Hutu are the majority race of Rwanda, while the Tutsi are considered as the foreign minority race. However it wasn't always this was, and history has a lot to say in the breakup of these two so called races...

German Influence

So when did the separation actually begin? When did one person become identified as either a Hutu or a Tutsi? Similar to most African nations, Rwanda was a colony of many various tribes, until the mid 1800s when Europeans began to explore the territory. It was the Germans who first influenced Rwanda, by taking favor with the Tutsi, who they believed were more honorable, eloquent, and willing to convert to Catholicism. As the years went on, the Tutsi organized and established an economy and a government of Rwanda, with the guidance of the Germans. Yet soon it became clear to all Rwandans that their economy was simply a means to make Germany stronger. Soon the Hutu began to understand their exploitation and began to shift their ideals from the Tutsi's European ideals.

The Belgians Take Over

Following Germany's defeat after WWI, the Belgian government took over the Rwandan colony. Similar to the Germans, the Belgians put their favor with the Tutsi people, and intended to make the colony much more prosperous. They improved Rwanda's education and agriculture system, however also established harsh labor policies such as whipping. Political tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi, grew due to the Belgian's influence. The Belgian government felt the Tutsi had white heritage and were thus superior to the Hutu. In 1931, the Belgians established this ethnic identity by having each Rwandan carry an identity card. Many Rwandans migrated to Uganda to escape the strict policies of the Belgian government.

At the end of WWII, Rwanda became identified as a UN territory, yet still under the control of Belgium. Yet by the 1950s and 1960s, a wave of Pan-Africianism began to spread throughout Africa, which inspired many Rwandan leaders to establish their own independent country. Yet as the Tutsi elite tried to unite the people, the Hutu began to organize into their own political party, opposing the Tutsi. It was Gregoire Kayibanda that led this Hutu emancipation movement, with his Hutu Manifesto, and a militarized political party. In November of 1959, the Tutsis tried to assassinate Hutu leader Kayibanda, and other prominent Hutu politicians. This led to a violent retaliation from the Hutu known as the "Wind of Destruction". Hutus killed an estimated 20,000-100,000 Tutsis... Belgian officials quickly arrived to control the situation. This event marked a major change in political life in Rwanda. The Hutu began to take control and power of the government.

Independent Rwanda

Hutu leader, Gregoire Kayibanda, became Rwanda's first elected president in 1961. As the Hutus began to increase their power and position within Rwanda, the Tutsi began to immigrate to other neighboring countries, such as Uganda, Tanzania, and Burundi, yet there were still many Tutsi people that intended to win back the Rwandan government. Kayibanda put forth strict regulations on the ethnicity barriers. He made sure there were no mixed marriages, and executed any Tutsi involved in political opposition. The Tutsi became the new racial minority, referred to as "cockroaches" trying to infiltrate the Hutu government of Rwanda.

On July 5, 1973 the Hutu defense minister General Juvenal Habyarimana overthrew president Gregoire Kayibanda, claiming that his policies were ineffective, and installed his own Hutu political party into government. Kayibanda established somewhat of a dictatorship; a one-party system with national interests, and heavy military rule,... He continued to further the Hutus position by forcing Tutsis to resign from prominent professions, such as medicine and education. He also had many Tutsis exiled or executed.

Yet while the Hutus began to prosper in Rwanda, the Tutsis began to challenge the government of Burundi, a small neighboring country. In 1965 the Tutsi armies led a coup against the Hutu government, and nearly all Hutu politicians were killed. A Tutsi military dictatorship was established which led to the Burundi Genocide, where nearly 200,000 Hutus were killed. With Burundi under the control of the Tutsis and Rwanda under the control of the Hutus, tension grew greater than ever as both sides prepared for war.

The Rwandan Civil War

In 1987, Tutsi refugees in Uganda began to form the Rwandan Patriotic Front. They were led by an experienced soldier of the Ugandan Bush War, Paul Kagame. On October 1st, 1990 the RPF invaded Rwanda, to bring the Tutsis back to power. This civil war lasted for three years, and was mostly a guerrilla war. On August of 1993, the National Hutu government of Rwanda signed a cease-fire with the Tutsi rebels, known as the Arusha Accords, to share the government. Yet ethnic tensions continued to increase, following an outbreak of civil war in Burundi, that spilled into Rwanda. The United Nations was sent in to try and neutralize the situation, however were unsuccessful and with so much years of tension, genocide was inevitable for the Rwandan people.

The Rwandan Genocide

With so much tension, all the Hutu needed were a reason to freely open-fire on Tutsi civilians. They finally got that reason when their president, Habyarimana, was killed in a plane-crash, of which they quickly blamed on the Tutsis. The genocide was thus quickly coordinated by Hutu militants known as the Interhamwe and the Impuzamugambi, through radio communications... On April 6th of 1994 these Hutu militia groups began rounding up and killing Tutsi citizens in masses. Even ordinary Hutu citizens were called on to execute their neighbor Tutsi. The mass murder of Tutsis quickly spread throughout the country and by the end of July nearly one million innocent Tutsi people were killed.

Upon hearing of this genocide, the Rwandan Patriotic Front, led by Paul Kagame, once again continued their offensive against the Rwandan Hutu government. The war was primarily waged against the Hutu militants conducting the massacres. By June of 1994, the Tutsi rebel army, had soon occupied the capital of Kigali, as well as parts in the north, east, and south. The Hutu National Army called for foreign support, yet were unaided. By August the Tutsi RPF, had defeated the Hutu Regime and brought an end to the genocide. Paul Kagame formed a government of national unity headed by a Hutu president, while he became the Vice President and Defense Minister. The served as the ultimate symbol of Hutu and Tutsi unity. However with the fall of their regime, nearly 2 million Hutus fled the country of Rwanda to neighboring countries in order to escape retribution. Paul Kagame assumed office in 2000, and is to this day the current president of Rwanda. He has done a great job in building Rwanda's infrastructure, free of corruption, yet most importantly free of ethnic persecution.

The International Role..?

So I've often heard this question come into play, why didn't the United States get involved? We had been quick to entangle ourselves in Korea's business, in Vietnam's business, and even in Iraq's business, so why not Rwanda? The Clinton-era was booming, the economy was booming, and we certainly didn't have any other major problems in that time. So why not entangle ourselves in Rwanda's affairs... My honest and frank opinion, is that our government felt that there was simply nothing to gain in the crisis... This viewpoint was shared by many other similar established nations, who obviously condemned the crisis, yet felt the situation was not their concern. The United Nations tried to send in "peacekeepers", yet they were not well-equipped, and simply way over their heads... The French took one of the most active roles in the crisis, through Operation Turquoise, to create a safe-zone for the refugees. However this operation has been the victim of extreme controversy. There have been accusations that the Operation, accomplished absolutely nothing, and simply hindered the RPF's mission.

The International Criminal Tribunal of Rwanda

So after one of history's most bloodiest genocides, right behind the Holocaust, the international world felt it was time to place the blame on somebody. At the end of 1996, the government began it's genocide trials, with the involvement of the United Nations. In 2001, They established the International Criminal Tribunal of Rwanda to handle the extreme case. However ever since it's establishment, the tribunal has only sentenced 20 people, and many of the wanted criminals are still at large. Unlike Adolf Hitler, Mussolini, or Stalin there is not an ultimate leader to blame for this tragedy. It was sadly the outcome of years and years of ethnic tension and extreme hatred.

Regarding Lucas Oil Stadium

This past weekend, I worked my first NFL game, since the 2007 season where I worked at the RCA Dome. I was once again working an Indianapolis Colts game yet this time it was in the much newer Lucas Oil Stadium. I've always been quite impressed with the stadium from the outside, yet had never seen it from the inside. This past Saturday I met up with Greg Litchy, to set up with Fox NFL, for the national 4:15 broadcast against the Dallas Cowboys. It was an extremely cold weekend, and I found myself outside walking quite a bit, trying to find parking... Once that was taken care of, the whole day consisted of trying to find our way through a giant warehouse of doors and tunnels. The inner structure to me is very similar to RCA dome, a long circular warehouse. Once we actually found the field, it was indeed quite an impressive sight. The stadium seats around 65,000 people and has a retractable sealing. Luckily it was closed for the weekend, and we never had to suffer the brutal cold weather. It was pretty cool working an NFL game, especially knowing that it was the much watched 4:15 broadcast. The game itself was quite exciting and the Colts lost in overtime to the Cowboys...

Book Review: War and Peace

Just last week, I finally finished Leo Tolstoy's epic novel "War and Peace". It's been a book I've always wanted to tackle, and after hearing so much hype about the film "Last Station" I finally decided to embark on the difficult read. I was joined by my cousin-in-law, Laura, to tackle this 1300 page monster. We started way back in February, right after Geoff's wedding. The book has taking me nearly 10 months to read...

I followed along quite well in the beginning with the story of Pierre, who had inherited his father's wealth, and eventually married the beautiful Helena. Then there was the happy Rostov family, the beautiful daughter, Natasha, and the two sons Nikolai (a soldier in the army) and the youngest son Petya. It seemed quite apparent to me from the beginning that Pierre and Natasha were destined for one another. Yet then things got far more complex when other characters and love-stories came into the picture...

The biggest appeal to me, was the historical account of Napoleon's invasion of Russia. In the early chapters of the book, Tolstoy begins with a detailed account of the Battle of Austerlitz. In doing this he puts both Napoleon and General Kutuzov into the novel, and gives detailed descriptions of their battle strategies. One of Tolstoy's main characters' Prince Andrei, fights in the battle, and is injured in a glorious charge. He later returns from the battle as a changed man, who later falls in love for Natasha.

The story once again picked up, when Pierre got in a dual with Dolokhov, a man Pierre believed to be cheating with his wife, Helena. Tired of the drama and confusion, Pierre leaves his wife, Helena, in pursue of something new. He finds exactly what he was looking for in the Freemasons society. This part of the books dives deep into the ideologies of the inner-self, clearly a representation of Tolstoy's viewpoints. Pierre becomes extremely religious, with a deep passion to fix an imperfect world.

Meanwhile Natasha meets Prince Andrei at a ball, and falls madly in love with him. Prince Andrei once again finds meaning in life, after the loss Battle of Austerlitz, and asks her to be his wife. However his father does not believe in the marriage, and tells Andrei to go away for a year, and then reconsider his proposal. During this time, Natasha falls in love with another man, Helena's brother, Anatole. She nearly runs off with him, until Pierre intercedes. When Prince Andrei here's of the betrayal he refuses to renew his proposal to Natasha. At this time, Pierre realizes he too has fallen in love with Natasha.

With the Great Comet of 1811, Pierre has found new meaning to life, yet this is quickly loss in the growing fears of Napoleon's invasion. The plot then turns to Napoleon as a central character in the story, focusing on his thorough strategies of invading Moscow. With an army of over 200,000 French soldiers, Napoleon marches into the outskirts of Smolensk. Pierre leaves Moscow to go watch the Battle of Borodino, one of Napoleon's greatest victories. Both sides suffer extreme losses, however the Russians are forced to withdraw from the battle, allowing the French to march on Moscow.

General Kutuzov orders that Moscow be evacuated, knowing that Napoleon is on his way. At this point in the story grows extremely gloomy in Russia, especially for the Rostov family. The youngest son, Petya, leaves his family to enlist in the army, while Natasha's husband Prince Andrei has fallen in battle. Natasha tries to stay optimistic by helping transport the wounded. Meanwhile Pierre has grown extremely enraged with the French invasion, especially its leader Napoleon, and sets off on a mission to assassinate him. He suddenly crosses paths with Natasha, as they leave Moscow, and once again realizes his love for her. Yet in the midst of the chaos, Pierre is unable to leave his city. He is eventually taken prisoner by the French Army.

As Napoleon stands in the emptied city of Moscow, he realizes that the Russians are not going to surrender. Knowing that his army is short of supplies, he has no other choice but to call of his invasion and return back to France. Pierre must accompany the French army on this infamous retreat through the harsh Russian winter. Pierre watches as many soldiers succumb to the brutal cold weather. He is however freed by a Russian raiding party, and returns to help rebuild Moscow. It is at this time, that he is reunited with Natasha, and declares his love to her once and for all.

Talk about an epic! It's no wonder this story is considered one of the greatest novels ever written... Tolstoy creates a magnificent story in the backdrop of a dramatic time. Full of many complex characters and themes, this is definitely a book that should be read several times. I can't help but see significant similarites in other Russian stories such as Doctor Zhivago and even Reds... I thinks there's something quite amazing about creating a story within an actual story. The characters manage to illustrate the realism of the event.

So after 10 months of reading, I just had to watch to the movie. I promised myself not to watch it, until I had finished the book. There are actually two epic films, one is American and one is Russian. I could not find the 1965 Soviet film, directed by Sergei Bondarchuk that is said to be the most expensive film ever made. However I did find the 1956 American film, directed by King Vidor and starring the lovely Audrey Hepburn as Natasha. The movie was a 3 hour epic, and wasn't half bad, yet still had to cut out many things from the book, such as Pierre's experience with the Freemasons. The film had a powerful portrayal of the French army's retreat, yet overall it was Audrey Hepburn's presence that really stole the show. She is truly divine!

War and Peace was by far the most difficult book I have ever read. It is full of so much detail and drama; the ultimate soap-opera... Yet I am very proud of myself for finishing it. There were times when I couldn't put it down, and times where I simply did not want to pick it up, not even look at it! Now its time for new things, and the next read on my list is JR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings...