Witness last months failure of Hokkaido Takushoku Bank, formerly one of Japans ten giant city (commercial) banks.

FORBES: Where do you buy your rice cakes?

He predicts that the long bond might yield as low as 4.5% if a global recession develops from Japans inaction.

FORBES: The dreaded D word

Japans small tax cut proposal was a Carteresque, one-time rebate.

FORBES: Fact and Comment

To the Westerner, it can seem as if there are two contrary Japans one a slow, peaceful land of Shinto shrines and tea ceremonies, the other a jangling zone of automation, neon signs, and bullet trains packed with commuters.

NEWYORKER: Ootoya