My father, who was part of the military occupation force in Japan. He also was a professional historian and economist. The economy remained flat until big business was allowed to resume operation.
> I'm no expert, but the more common narrative is the Korean war was a stimulant for the Japanese economy.
People can't stand the idea that the free market works. :-/
What are your sources on this? The US occupation was led by Douglas MacArthur, who was about as far from a "leftist professor" as possible.
> When it was changed to allow big business to operate again, Japan became a huge economic success story.
I'm no expert, but the more common narrative is the Korean war was a stimulant for the Japanese economy.