Japan entered through a phase of both economical and political changes during the United States’ occupation of Japan.
Due to this western influence, the Japanese government became democratic and the economic state centred around capitalism, exporting materials to the United States.
With the capitalistic ideals of the west, Japan became a key supplier and manufacture of trades. This lead Japan on the path to become a key trader in the world after ww2.
During the cold wars, the US further strengthen its economic relationships with Japan to avoid Japan association with the Soviet Union.
In the Korean War neighbouring Japan, Japan exported many military supplies in the effort for the war, gaining massive profits. By the late 1960s, Japan became the country with the third greatest GPD, only trailing behind two major superpowers(US and USSR).