[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.

[Gary Boldwater]

Interesting observations and good points.

Now if only Godzilla and Mothra would rise out of the oceans and crush a few cities, the economy would be on the rise again.