Economic reform in Japan : can the Japanese change pt. 1. Necessary change or shameless surrender Economic reform in Japan pt. 2. The fine art of financial incompetence pt. 3. Japanese firms : happy families or anonymous corporate structures pt. 4. Producing a more Japan friendly world. While many Western economists forcefully urge the Japanese to become more like the US there are other academics who have registered strong reservations to such a simplistic solution. In this volume noted scholars take opposing positions on key issues including financial reform corporate change and international trade. The editor contributes a thought provoking introduction which also presents an overview of the topic. The papers gathered here present an opportunity for readers to consider the underlying conflicts in Japans economy and society that makes choosing a new direction such a difficult proposition