Japan's place in the contemporary economic world -- The nineteenth century transformation of the Japanese economy -- From Meiji to World War 2 : political and international developments -- Economic developments in the first half of the twentieth century -- Planning supplies for war -- The American occupation and the postwar economy -- Bank-centered finance and corporate governance -- Capital investment and rates of return -- Structural change in the Japanese economy -- The privatization of Japan's public corporations -- Is Japan different? implications for economic growth -- Economic prospects for Japan : moving to a new trajectory