Introduction: Japan: Descending Asian Giant? Financial System Reform: Recovery or Retrogression? Political Earthquake in Japan Japan's ODA as Soft Power Japan in Global Governance: War and Peace Japan's Politics of Environment and Climate Change: From NIMBY to Global Networks National Security in Japan's Space Policy Japan's Regional Engagement: Network Diplomacy Can Japan Engage Northeast Asia? Overcoming Perceptual and Strategic Deficits Japan's Education System: Problems and Prospects in the Post-Industrial Age The Impact of Changing Age Structure on Demographic Dividends and Intergenerational Transfers in Japan Have Jobs and Hope Gone Forever in Japan? From Family and Firms to a New Social Network The Culture of Migration Politics in Japan