"Despite a deep recession following the burst of a financial bubble in 1990, the Japanese economy is still the one of the largest in the world and has maintained the value of it currency. Can Japan uphold this status and, furthermore, regain its competitiveness and normal economic growth? Whether Japan can achieve this goal depends upon its success in its efforts for massive restructuring and globalizing of its business and economic system and other aspects of society. Japan's practices in many of these areas have lagged behind its global competitors." "With contributions from well-known North American and Japanese academics, this book discusses these issues from historical, analytical and empirical perspectives. The discussions also point to potential business opportunities for foreigners. Japan's experience will be of a great interest to its trading partners."--BOOK JACKET