Eisenhower -Desperate War of Japan in the Pacific-

Episodes Enoki Flying Board --- Desperate War of Japan in the Pacific ---

Eisenhower's speech

Sleigh playing in 60s

Sleigh in a country of Japan

I was a boy in Hokkaido, when Eisenhower made a farewell speech on 17th Jan 1961. My freinds and I walked home after school. It happened to see a working horse towed a sleigh. We tried hanging on the sleigh backward secretly, though a hackman found us, he drove out at once. In those days, we seldom 4-wheel truk drived by an engine. I often saw a horse towed a 2-wheel wagon in spring. A craft man of tatami mat lived near my home. The craft had a 3-wheel truck. Sony had already begun to product transistor radios. Soon working horses were not seen in my home town.
Farewell Address
Eisenhower no kokumin heno rinin-enzetu
Auto 3-rin
Sony syoki no transistor radio

Japan was free from the heavy military expenditure that imposed over 60% in fiscal budget in the Pacific War. Although commons were poor, they were not in hunger in 60s. Commercial investment occureed mass production of commodity. Washing machine, TV, refrigrator and telephone came our home. Soon my father bought a small car.

Eisenhower's visit

Political conflict in Tokyo of 60s

Main export product of Japan to US was silk before the Pacif War for a long time. Competing with other countries, Japan could export other textile to US. Yen was fixed with dollar. 1 dollar was 360 yen. Heavy plant industries like paper, steel and glass were not competitve. Government protected such domestic industries from US. US allowed Japan to protection policy. US fought cold war against Russia. In Europe, Germany and France began to control their steel industries together! Eisenhower was tolerant. If McArther was US Presindent, he would srain loser of Japan and Germany severe. I knew FDR did not like McArther. In a sense, they are the same of character, I suppose. Once Eisenhower was a staff of McArther. Commons of USA did not hope McArther as President on peace. Unfortunately Japan could not welcome Eisenhower's visit because of domestic political parties conflict. And worse all the newspapers of Japan fueld the conflict. I remember we shouted kishi-souri-daijin(Prime minister Kishi) on a sleigh(sori) slope. In those days, Prime Minister of Japan was Kishi, had dreamed of Japan's development under controlled economy before the Pacifi War, failed to handle a few policies. I think he was a bureaucractic rather than a politician. He said, "I hear a voice without saying." By the way, Abe, grand son of Kishi told such a thing, when he resigned. Simply they had no mind to hear.

I think Eisenhower heard a lot of voices. Spirit of the speech are welcomed among commons of Japan even now. When will Prime Minister of Japan make a historical farewell speech?