Why did Japan crank out millions and millions of worthless trinkets after WWll, and why was there a market?

Low quality, low value knick-knacks like seen here.

From immediately after the war (Made in Occupied Japan) and for the next several years (at least) they appear to have flooded the US (in not the world) with a sea of virtually worthless crap. And the intense labor involved is very apparent in the wild variations between like pieces.

This is a serious question I have had for many years. I’d especially like to hear from people that were present at the time and bought the stuff? Why? Granted, most of it appears to have been under 25¢, but it’s crap.