[fluffy0000]

SOURCE: 2008 CIA WORLD FACTBOOK Japan's huge government debt, which totals 182% of GDP, and the aging of the population are two major long-run problems. Some fear that a rise in taxes could endanger the current economic recovery. Debate also continues on the role of and effects of reform in restructuring the economy, particularly with respect to increasing income disparities and the 2007-17 privatization of Japan Post, which has functioned not only as the national postal delivery system but also, through its banking and insurance facilities, as Japan's largest financial institution. Are we still on the same page dude? kirakura
I do'nt drive a car and do'nt have a bias about Detroit versus Toyota like you? Lose the attitude and grow some skin.
The growth rate you think Japan had was smoke and mirrors and never approached 1.5% during those years. Translation BofJ and government was cooking the books. Lehman Bros Bank was sacrificed by Hank Paulson and Ben Bernanke because unlike the other banks they did'nt have enough political connections. excerpt CNN Top Financial Meltdowns 2008; Funny how that didn't apply to Bear Stearns, which the Feds at least sold for a couple of bucks to JP Morgan. Instead of stopping the financial meltdown, letting Lehman go down amplified it. Any confidence in the market was undermined, and financial stocks began to head south in a hurry. Not only was the U.S. forced to step up to save AIG, it was soon on the hook for $700 billion in bailout money to faltering financial institutions.
The US does'nt have a lock on 'epic fail' and neither does Japan.