Скачать или смотреть How America Broke Japan’s Chip Empire (And It’s Doing It Again)

In 1985, Japan controlled 50% of the global semiconductor market. Japanese cars dominated American highways. Japanese electronics filled American homes. Experts predicted Japan would overtake the United States as the world's largest economy.

Then America struck back.

Not with bombs. Not with invasions. With something far more effective: trade agreements, currency manipulation, and public humiliation.
The Plaza Accord forced Japan to double the value of its currency overnight. The Semiconductor Agreement forced Japan to stop competing on price. The Toshiba scandal gave American politicians an excuse to smash Japanese products with sledgehammers on the Capitol lawn.
Within a decade, Japan's tech industry was broken. The country entered thirty years of economic stagnation it still has not escaped.
This is the story no one teaches in schools. How America systematically dismantled a close ally's economy because that ally got too successful.
And here is why it matters now: everything America did to Japan in 1985, America is doing to China today. The Huawei sanctions. The TikTok ban. The chip export restrictions. Same playbook. Different target.

SOURCES AND VERIFICATION:
All historical facts verified against primary sources including:
U.S. Department of State historical records
Bank of Japan official history
Plaza Accord original documents (1985)
U.S.–Japan Semiconductor Agreement (1986)
Congressional records on Toshiba sanctions (1987)
Federal Reserve economic data
Semiconductor Industry Association archives
Academic studies from Harvard, Brookings, and CSIS
Key facts verified:

Japan 50% semiconductor market share (1988)
Plaza Accord: yen moved from 240 to 120 per dollar
Semiconductor Agreement secret 20% side letter
Congressmen smashing Toshiba products (July 1, 1987)
Nikkei peak 38,915 (December 1989)
Japan market share fallen to under 10% by 2024

AI DISCLOSURE:
This video was researched and scripted with AI assistance. All facts were independently verified against historical sources listed above.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT VISUALS:
Some images in this video are AI generated artistic interpretations of historical events. These visuals may not accurately reflect exact facial features of historical figures, precise architectural details, or specific uniforms and clothing from the era. The images are artistic representations meant to support the storytelling, not historical photographs.
If you notice any factual errors in the narration, please let us know in the comments.

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#TechWar #Japan #Semiconductors #PlazaAccord #TikTokBan #Huawei #China #ColdWar #Economics #HiddenHistory #AmericanEmpire #TradeWar #financialhistory #financialhistorian

In the 1980s, Japan dominated semiconductors — and the U.S. decided it had to be stopped.
This is how America broke Japan’s chip empire… and why the same playbook is being used again today.

Japan once controlled a massive share of the global semiconductor market. American companies were losing. Politicians panicked. Then came currency pressure, trade deals, and “managed” chip restrictions that reshaped the entire industry.