The quick rebuilding of the economy that Japan achieved after their defeat in the WW II is called the Post-War Wonder or the Post-War Miracle. The roots of that success can be seen in the long history of Japan.
Japan had a tradition of democratic protests and intellectual and creative activities. Moreover, the social solidarity that was there even before the War became stronger after the War. It helped in the cooperation and collective efforts of government, bureaucracy, and industry. The demands for many things created by the Korean and Vietnam Wars also helped in boosting the Japanese economy.
The Tokyo Olympics of 1964 was the start of a new era in Japanese history. The highspeed bullet trains that began in 1964 showed the world the competence of Japanese technology. The ability of the Japanese to produce high quality but cheap products by using top technology surprised the world.
