Subject: So. Studies/Sciences: Geography/Cultures

Asian Studies Series

Japan: Concrete Jungle

"Recommended. The question raised in this documentary is: are Japan's enormous public works' programs good for Japan and its economy or are they wasteful and even dangerous? The excellent footage of some of the projects is interspersed with interviews of economists and other public figures, along with scenes of unemployed workers who depend on public works for their livelihood. This is a question not only for Japan, but also that all countries face." -National Media Review
Japan is the world's second biggest economy; however, this revealing documentary shows how Japan's addiction to construction could lead to its economic destruction. Japan owes the United States over $5 trillion dollars and its government continues to try to revive the economy by pouring billions of dollars into public works' projects like bridges and tunnels. The reason? There are 70,000 bureaucrats working in the Land and Transport Ministry who control 80% of the public works' budget. "The bridges are the most expensive in the history of humanity," says Ken Curtis of Goldman Sachs. In conclusion, it's obvious, if the government fails to treat this "concrete cancer," its debt will keep growing. Produced by ABC Australia. 08DR JSCA 20 min.
Also See: Japan; Japan; The Japanese Empire: 300 A.D. to 1800 A.D.; Japan: Ainu People of Hokkaido; Japan: Sumo Basho