Japanese Neo-mercantilism: Policies

Abstract

Throughout the postwar era Tokyo has concentrated on developing Japan’s economy, and achieving predominance in East Asia and the world economy. To these related ends, the Japanese government has systematically managed the economy through inter-related industrial, trade and financial policies. These neo-mercantilist policies have been overwhelmingly successful: Japan now has the world’s second largest economy, one of its highest per capita incomes, and Japanese corporations and banks are powerful forces in all important global markets.