it's 1961...What's with the shoes?

I've watched enough Japanese film to marvel at the lousy footwear repeatedly. In period films I've rationalized, island nation, limited leather. But in the aftermath of wwii why would anyone wear the wooden platform things. In Ozu films the traditionally dressed characters don't appear to be wearing these.
Hulu has made many Kinoshita films available for streaming. This is a good melodrama but lacks the precision of the best. Start with 24 Eyes or Tokyo Tragedy, the best I've found to date.