HIGHWAY LANDSCAPES OF JAPAN (Japan, 2007-2008)

In Japan highways are not only economic, but also political instruments. After the Second World War, when the roads in Japan were still largely unpaved, a high-quality road network was created, which also functioned as a motor for the country’s explosive economic growth in the 1970s and ’80s. Today there are 9000 kilometres of expressways in Japan – and not only between and around the fast-growing cities. The countryside has suffered from a shrinking population, the remaining inhabitants hope that the construction of roads will attract business to their area. Moreover, the rural population is also dependent on the construction of public works for their employment opportuni-ties. On the other hand, many roads and bridges are unnecessary. They never accomplished their intended purpose, cause pollution and annoyance, and contribute to the destruction of the Japanese landscape. The government has spent itself into debt with these projects – an untenable situation. In grim black and white Inamiya Yasuto shows us the modern, asphalted landscape. He sees it as a warning for other ‘tiger’ economies that are applying a Japanese model for their economic develop-ment.