When was Japan's Golden Age ?

[Maciamo]

In the US, the Golden Age is definitely now.

Ah now, sorry, the USA is certainly not in its best period ever now; not for the economy (USD at 18-year low against the pound and many years against the euro, almost all big airlines and car companies bankrupt...), not for politics (the USA has never so hated and unpopular in the world as now), nor for culture (the American dream is not what it used to be).

Although I would tend to think of either the Edo Period or Meji as "Golden Ages" (can you have more than one?) the current era has to rank pretty high.

Up to 1990 Japan was doing very well economically, but things have been rather gloomy since then. Politically Japan is far from being comfortable and well-respected on the international scene (Asian neighbours ?). Culturally it seems that the more time passes and the more Japan is becoming Westernised. Just look at what people are wearing (European clothes), what movies or series they are watching (mostly American, with a recent increase in Korean ones too), or what food they are eating (very few traditional Japanese dishes but many hybrid ones inspired from foreign cuisines, always more European and American food).

In Japan, they have had six decades of peace, prosperity and growth since 1946 that is pretty amazing.

That doesn't necessarily coincide with a period of golden age. The country has to expand, be innovative, inspire or influence the rest of the world, be a world leader in the arts and sciences, etc. I do not see much Japanese influence outside Japan except for cars and very specialised markets (mostly manga and video games). They are not the one who make the fashion, who lead the world literature and cinema, who dominate scientific research, who have the most advanced legal system, or whatever. In fact, Japan has never dominated even East Asia, except from the Meiji period to WWII. Its influence in management, economy and even culture were stronger in the 1980's than now. It was the "Japanese miracle", while now the international media talk more about the land of the setting sun.

[sabro]

Ah now, sorry, the USA is certainly not in its best period ever now; not for the economy (USD at 18-year low against the pound and many years against the euro, almost all big airlines and car companies bankrupt...), not for politics (the USA has never so hated and unpopular in the world as now), nor for culture (the American dream is not what it used to be).

Golden ages mean different things to different people. The 50's may have been a golden age to some- peace, prosperity, and the big one income American dream, the Golden Age of Television... but it was also the Cold War, Korea, the McCarthy era... not much opportunity for Blacks or women...

The United States has never had such long uninterrupted periods of economic growth. The Dow has hit a record high. Universities have record numbers of qualified applicants. We still tend to lead in areas of research, medicine, and science, and in the application of technology. In spite of our current president, we still are the only Super power on the block, and though we may not lead well, we still lead. We have higher rates of home ownership, greater upward mobility, and a higher level of education than any time in our short history. We live richer, healthier and longer lives. There is more opportunities for more people to achieve more things... with fewer barries to pursuing that American Dream. Poverty, drug use, teen pregnancy, and crime are all at historic lows. If that is not a little bit golden, I don't know what is.

The fact that the dollar is low against foreign currency only means that we will be making a little headway against our huge trade deficit to some. The fact that many (not all) airlines have filed bankrupcy... or that GM and Ford are shakier than usual would be alarming if our economy in genral wasn't actuall pretty healthy. Politics is politics. Governments change every few years... and the next president could be wildly popular, you never know. And I assure you the American dream is alive and well. As for culture- do you measure it by popular culture- the cult of the celebrity, the health of Hollywood?

I think people tend to undestimate the age they live in. They are living in a time of great change- some good and some bad- of progress and prosperity as well as conflict and challenge... to miss the invention and innovation, the optimism and opportunity-- until it is too late, is rather unfortunate. Japan and the US are in a Golden age... the age in the Pacific Rim that will challenge Japan in new ways to play an expanded and less insular role... an age where they will have to change their relationship with the US and relate in a totally different way.