ABSTRACT
If World War I had provided Japan with its first great opportunity for industrial growth, the abolition of the gold standard system in December 1931 – following the British abandonment of the gold standard in September – provided the country with a second major push. Having reorganized their industries to reduce production costs, the Japanese were positioned to take advantage of cuts in export prices due to depreciation of the yen. The result was the stimulation of export enterprises through increased orders from abroad.
