[conway]

Japan has a socialist government. It was instituted by General McArthur and Harry Truman. Japan is 33 trillion in debt. Their creedo was full employment and full production after their defeat. It mattered not if there was a market for their goods.

Banks were forced to make loans to insolvent companies.

Socialism and Communism always fail but,there is no other system that allows criminals can ply their trade.

[freedumb2003]

>>there is no other system that allows criminals can ply their trade.<<

Except ours: Enron. WorldCom. Omnidia. California.

[happygrl]

Japan has a socialist government... Their creedo was full employment and full production after their defeat. It mattered not if there was a market for their goods. Banks were forced to make loans to insolvent companies.

I would argue that it was the Yakuza who forced these loans to be made.

Also, no one has brought up the effect of low birth rates, and subsequent low demand in both Japan and Europe. The postwar generation has made its major purchases and the smaller cohort of the X-generation is just not generating demand in either of these markets.