Japanization: What the World Can Learn from Japan's Lost Decades (Bloomberg) - Hardcover

An in-depth look at Japan's economic malaise and the steps it must take to compete globally In Japanization, Bloomberg columnist William Pesek based in Tokyo presents a detailed look at Japan's continuing twenty-year economic slow-down, the political and economic reasons behind it, and the policies it could and should undertake to return to growth and influence. Despite new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's promise of economic revitalization, investor optimism about the future, and plenty of potential, Japanization reveals why things are unlikely to change any time soon. Pesek argues that "Abenomics," as the new policies are popularly referred to, is nothing more than a dressed-up version of the same old fiscal and monetary policies that have left Japan with crippling debt, interest rates at zero, and constant deflation. He explores the ten forces that are stunting Japan's growth and offers prescriptions for fixing each one. * Offers a skeptical counterpoint to the popular rosy narrative on the economic outlook for Japan * Gives investors practical and detailed insight on the real condition of Japan's economy * Reveals ten factors stunting Japan's growth and why they are unlikely to be solved any time soon * Explains why most of what readers believe they know about Japan's economy is wrong * Includes case studies of some of the biggest Japanese companies, including Olympus, Japan Airlines, Sony, and Toyota, among others For many investors, businesspeople, and economists, Japan's long economic struggle is difficult to comprehend, particularly given the economic advantages it appears to have over its neighbors. Japanization offers a ground-level look at why its problems continue and what it can do to change course.

Nouriel Roubini, Roubini Global Economics LLC and New York University: “When policy makers contemplate the lessons from Japan, their first impulse is to say ‘it can’t happen here.’ Well, it can and much easier than everyone thinks. William Pesek offers a timely blueprint for what not to do that should be required reading from Washington to Beijing.”

Tony Fernandes, founder of AirAsia: “Pesek really captures how the vast potential of Japan bumps up against a system that stands in the way of achieving it. As an executive determined to tap that potential, I can relate to a lot of what’s in these pages.”

Mohamed A. El-Erian, former CEO, Pacific Asset Management: “In this well written volume, William Pesek provides us with an authoritative analysis of lessons from Japan’s lost decades. Through a powerful multi-cultural perspective and expert analyses, Pesek provides a cautionary tale for many—from those who believe that Abenomics is Japan’s magical solution to those who argue that Japanization could not occur in other advanced countries. This is an extremely engaging book that economists, policy makers and investors will find highly insightful and thought provoking.”

Stephen Roach, Yale University professor and former chairman for Morgan Stanley Asia: “Japan and its lost decade is turning out to be the proto-type for the rest of the post-crisis world. Pesek makes a convincing case that we ignore these risks at great peril. Written by one of Asia’s most perceptive insiders, Japanization lays bare a treacherous policy trap that could ensnare others if they don¹t study the lessons of Japan very carefully.”

Marc Faber, publisher of the Gloom, Boom & Doom report: Japanization by star columnist William Pesek, is a fascinating book. Not only does Pesek command deep knowledge about Asian economic and financial trends but his work also raises serious questions about the effectiveness of government interventions with fiscal and monetary policies into the free market. I find Pesek’s book to be highly readable and whereas it was not intended to be a textbook, in reality it is an excellent textbook about “how not to run economic policies.”

Barry Eichengreen, University of California, Berekley: In this much-needed book, William Pesek separates the policy wheat from the rhetorical chaff. Readers who want to know the real lessons of recent Japanese economic history will want to start here, but they will not be reassured.”