JETRO Focus Newsletter March 2013

JETRO's Focus Newsletter series provides readers with a snapshot of Japan's macroeconomy, as well as other important topics and trends. It is designed to analyze current developments, including those relating to Japan's economy, its business, financial, investment and political environment, as well as relevant social and cultural themes.  Subscribe online to JETRO Focus

Recent editions have covered issues including rising entrepreneurship and investor interest in Japan, the economic integration of East Asia, changing business and corporate practices, structural and corporate reform and the potential impact of postal savings reform.

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Download the March 2013 Newsletter [PDF, 457KB]

Kenichi Kawamoto
Executive Director
JETRO New York office

Japanese Election Encourages Fundamental Reexamination of its Economy

Last December, Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) regained power in a new election, following an interlude of almost three and a half years when the nation was governed by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). The DPJ's surprise election in August 2009 had marked the end of nearly 60 years of continuous LDP rule, driven by public dissatisfaction and a desire for new approaches. The DPJ government sought to break the "iron triangle" of LDP politicians, bureaucrats and large companies, whose cooperation helped to propel Japan in its ascent to become the world's 2nd largest economy, but then proved incapable of arresting its decline following the collapse of its bubble economy in the early 1990s.