Question: Discuss the possibility that differences in hours worked per day, and days worked per year may have driven differences in industrial development prior to WW2.

Expert answer

There is a possibility that differences in hours worked per day, and days worked per year may have driven differences in industrial development prior to WW2. In the United States, for example, the average worker put in approximately 10 hours per day, and worked about 260 days per year. In contrast, workers in Japan averaged around 15 hours per day, and worked about 300 days per year. This difference in work hours may have contributed to the faster industrial development in Japan prior to WW2.

Of course, there are other factors that also played a role in the different rates of industrialization between the US and Japan. For instance, the US had a much larger population than Japan, which meant that there were more potential consumers for American products. Additionally, the US had access to more resources than Japan, which made it easier for American companies to expand their operations. However, the difference in work hours is likely to have had at least some impact on the different rates of industrialization between the two countries.

It is worth noting that, after WW2, the work hours of Japanese workers began to decline, while those in the US remained relatively stable. This change may have helped to close the gap between the two countries' rates of industrialization.Ultimately, there are a number of factors that can contribute to differences in industrial development. The hours worked per day and days worked per year are just one of many potential variables.