Episode 532 - Cash Rules Everything Around Me

The podcast dives into Japan's swift economic transformation during the Meiji era. It explores how the country shifted from isolation to a significant player in the world economy, altering its national identity. The discussion includes the tension between modernization and traditional values, highlighting influential figures like Fukuzawa Yukichi. Additionally, it covers the emergence of new religious movements during this period, blending local beliefs with Western ideologies. The complexities of trade imbalances and social unrest add depth to this fascinating historical narrative.