MAKING SENSE OF JAPAN

In: The national interest, Band 43, S. 50-63

Abstract

DURING THE TIME PERIOD 1988-89, THE EXPLOSIVE PHENOMENON OF JAPAN'S ECONOMIC SUCCESS REQUIRED REVISED THINKING. THE OLD WISDOM ON JAPAN WAS ALMOST USELESS IN HELPING POLICY MAKERS GRAPPLE WITH THE NEW PHENOMENON. THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES: THE END OF CONSENSUS; INTERPRETING THE RECESSION; AND JAPAN AS A STRONG STATE OR STATELESS NATION. IT OFFERS A FOUR YEAR TEST OF NEW THINKING ABOUT JAPAN SINCE 1991 AND ARGUES THAT THE CONCENTRATION OF POWER JAPAN REPRESENTS SHOULD ELICIT ON THE PART OF AMERICA'S POLICY ELITE A SUPREME EFFORT TOWARD UNDERSTANDING AND COPING.