Why did Asian and African nations gain independance after WW2?
Why is Japan an economic sucess (list reasons)?
Check this site for answers to your first question.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decolonization_of_Africa
Japan is an economic success because of a well-educated workforce, enormous amounts of economic help after WW II, a tradition of hard work and loyalty to employers, democracy forced on it by the victorious Allies.
P.S. When I lived in Japan and went to Trade Shows, etc. the Japanese were so careful to study new things from every angle. When they got through it looked like they knew everything about that product. They were very careful and clever so I was never surprised when they came out with something as good as, if not better!
how did the conflicts between israel and the neighboring arav nations affect cold war competition in the middle east