The Crisis Cometh

Abstract

There is an odd intellectual conceit that, when one criticizes the Japanese economy, the heavy burden of proof is on the critic. Why, I may be asked, have you written so many nasty things about Japan? In theory, that is nonsense. Any economy, even the most perfect, has flaws. In practice, it is even sillier. When an economy has been weakening and fails to provide much material or spiritual well-being, as is Japan’s situation, the onus should lie with those who claim it is exceptional to prove their case.