Japanese Economy

Japan's economy is the third-largest in the world, but it has been struggling since the early 1990s due to the collapse of an asset price bubble and other setbacks, such as the Asian and global financial crises and the 2011 Fukushima earthquake. Hiroaki Richard Watanabe's book explores the ups and downs of Japan's postwar economic history, highlighting its distinct business networks and state-market relationship, and the characteristic institutional complementarity that exists among different sectors and business practices. However, the economy retains many inefficient and peculiar business practices that do not comply with global standards. The book provides readers with a concise survey of Japan's recent economic history, its characteristic features, and the challenges it faces.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 21 December 2020
Publisher: Agenda Publishing

Japan, despite being the world's third-largest economy, continues to grapple with the aftermath of a significant asset price bubble that burst in the early 1990s. Over the past few years, the country has faced additional setbacks, including the Asian and global financial crises and the devastating 2011 Fukushima earthquake, further exacerbating its economic challenges. In this context, Hiroaki Richard Watanabe's book, "Japan's Postwar Economic History: An Up-to-Date and Authoritative Guide," emerges as a valuable resource for understanding the intricacies of Japan's economy.

Watanabe delves into the ups and downs of Japan's postwar economic history, providing a comprehensive and up-to-date account of the country's economic landscape. The book highlights Japan's distinct business networks and its unique state-market relationship, which have played a significant role in shaping its economic development. It explores the characteristic institutional complementarity that exists among different sectors and business practices, emphasizing the importance of human factors such as labor market dualism, gender discrimination, and migration in shaping the country's economic outcomes.

While Japan is often associated in Western minds with futuristic automated efficiency, Watanabe's book reveals that the country's economy retains many inefficient and peculiar business practices that do not conform to global standards. The book provides readers with a concise survey of Japan's recent economic history, its characteristic features, and the challenges it faces. It sheds light on the country's efforts to address its economic problems, including the implementation of economic policies such as Abenomics, aimed at stimulating growth and promoting job creation.

Overall, "Japan's Postwar Economic History: An Up-to-Date and Authoritative Guide" is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding Japan's economy, its unique characteristics, and the challenges it faces in the global context. By examining the country's past and present, Watanabe offers valuable insights into the workings of Japan's economy and provides a roadmap for navigating its future.

Weight: 286g
Dimension: 149 x 211 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788210515