Japan's Strength Is Lost in Translation

Its companies are still world class—but they won't remain so unless Tokyo can summon the will for reform.

December 1, 2011

With the euro zone now on the brink of implosion, weakness in the U.S. economy and rising concerns over China's sustainable growth, is Japan the economic tortoise to the rest of the world's hare?

Japan's economic performance has largely been written off over the past two decades. It shouldn't be—reform could build on the country's strong fundamentals.

Japan's impressive manufacturing is often overlooked because of competition....

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