The Incredible Shrinking Japan

Abstract

At the outset of this book, we presented data that indicated Japanese firms were having a tough time in the global economy relative to firms from other countries. Recently, when we presented that data at a conference, a participant made the following comment and challenge:

Even if a global world is going to be tough for Japanese companies, why can’t they continue to focus on Japan and still do well? After all Japan is the 2nd largest economy in the world. Plus, Japanese firms largely have the Japanese domestic market to themselves. So why do they need to think about and get so involved in the rest of the world’s economy?