Reform is in the air.
Japan is in the midst of it, focusing on the financial sector.
So are many Asian countries that were affected by the recent crisis. Although not so well-known, Pacific island countries are also earnestly implementing structural reform. To help expedite reform in the Pacific, the International Monetary Fund recently hosted a conference in Apia, the capital of Samoa. Donor representatives, including from Japan International Cooperation Agency, also participated. Contrary to the misconceived notions of some outsiders, the Pacific is not a carefree tropical Paradise.