Conclusion

Abstract

The study as a whole demonstrates that debates over the morality of day-to-day business conduct have strong historical roots, and that the case of Japan has significant contemporary relevance. Complaints fuelled by cultural difference, the absence of an accepted international standard, and legislative deficiencies, were also a manifestation of the fear of competition from new entrants to the market. There are strong similarities between the case of contemporary China and Japan’s experience a century before, and the analysis raises two questions, namely how far effective competition is always likely to lead to accusations against that competitor, and how far developing economies can be expected to adhere to standards imposed by their more advanced counterparts if they are to make their way in global markets.