Historical Dictionary of United States-Japan ... - Bakumatsu Films

CONFUCIANISM • 69
population, while artisans and merchants comprised most of the remainder
of this hierarchy. Although formally despised because they
were considered unproductive members of society, many merchants
amassed considerable wealth and exercised influence during the
Tokugawa Era. Imperial family members, Buddhist and Shinto
priests, burakumin (so-called hamlet people), Ainu, and foreigners
were outside the formal class system and considered special categories.
The system was abolished in 1872; but most top government
positions throughout the Meiji Era (1868–1912) were held by men
from samurai families. See also MEIJI RESTORATION.
COLLATERAL FUND OF U.S. ASSISTANCE TO JAPAN. As a
special counterpart yen fund budget, the Japanese government incorporated
the Japanese yen equivalent of the total amount of U.S. assistance
to Japan. The Japanese government was able to use this fund
under the supervision of the Supreme Commander for the Allied
Powers (SCAP). This fund is called the Collateral Fund of U.S. Assistance
to Japan. Joseph Dodge, President Harry S. Truman’s special
envoy to Japan to stabilize Japanese inflation, ordered the establishment
of the fund. The total amount of funding in the first year
amounted to 140 billion yen. It was used for railroads, telecommunications,
and direct investment in private corporations. The Japanese
cabinet decided the outline for the use of the Collateral Fund on 12
April 1949. The Economic Stabilization Board (ESB) made a plan
of operation as an integral part of a comprehensive fund scheme. In
reality, however, the Ministry of Finance managed and operated the
counterpart fund.
CONFUCIANISM. Based on the ancient teachings of Confucius,
Mencius, and later Zhu Xi of China, Confucianism has been part of
Japan’s social, political, and cultural heritage from the late 500s CE.
Emphasizing the values of benevolence, sincerity, harmony, proper
order, self-discipline, and education, Confucianism is not actually a
religion but an ethical value system that has been widely observed by
East Asians for more than 2,000 years. During the Tokugawa Era,
Confucian values were used to maintain the class system. Confucian
values often overlap with Buddhism (particularly Zen Buddhism)
and Shinto in Japan. See also CLASS SYSTEM IN JAPAN.