Since 1980, Japan's international economic position has undergone a historic transformation that is now having significant consequences for Japan, the United States, Europe and other nations around the world. During the decades following World War II, Japan's interaction with the world was primarily through merchandise trade, with Japan evolving as an efficient exporter and a reluctant importer. International investment flows - either into, or out of, Japan - were quite limited. As a result, Japan was a rather insular nation. Now Japan has become a major international investor, and depsite the current downturn in the Japanese economy, sizable flows of investment abroad will continue during the rest of decade. Investment, however, necessarily involves businesses and government in a new and far more intimate relationship with the outside world, one which demands a new set of policies and behaviour patterns. In this new book, Edward Lincoln maintains that the reality of economic engagement has shifted far faster than the ability of either business or government to cope with these changes.
He examines such problems as Japan's rather narrowly conceived foreign aid programmes and its limited personnel participation in major multilateral organizations. The United States, conversely, must redefine its policies towards Japan beyond simply endorsing "global parnership". Continued efforts to produce greater absorption of imports and foreign capital in Japan are certainly warranted, but Lincoln also emphasizes the desirability of US policies that will move Japan towards a more productive non-military engagement in world political affairs.
- ISBN10 0815716397
- ISBN13 9780815716396
- Publish Date 1 December 2010 (first published 1 October 1993)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Brookings Institution
- Format eBook
- Pages 332
- Language English