Japan's Open Future: An Agenda for Global Citizenship(Anthem Asia-Pacific Series)

In the fast changing modern world where does Japan fit in, and how should it relate to the United States and China? Three foreign commentators make a provocative and persuasive argument that the time has come for Japan to help build a stronger Asian community, and to become an engage and conscientious global citizen.

Table of Contents:
INTRODUCTION; I. FACING HISTORY: GETTING PAST THE NATION STATE; II. GLOBAL COMMUNICATION: A MATTER OF HEART; III. ESCAPING MERCANTILISM: FROM FREE-RIDER TO DRIVER; IV. EMBRACING BUSINESS RISK: ENTREPRENEURS AND KAISHA REBORN; V. OPEN POLITICS: UNLEASHING CIVIL SOCIETY; VII. GEOPOLITICS: A GLOBAL CITIZEN; CONCLUSION; BIBLIOGRAPHY

About the Author :
John Haffner works in strategic planning in the energy industry, and is a 2008 World Fellow at Yale University. Dr Tomas Casas i Klett is an entrepreneur operating in China and a lecturer at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland. Dr Jean-Pierre Lehmann is Professor of International Political Economy at IMD; he is also Founding Director of the Evian Group.

Review :
'Brilliant. It analyses Japan's mistakes and possibilities of development, and it also looks at the future development of the China-Japan relationship. Sometimes onlookers at the outside are the ones who see the inside most clearly.' -Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences 'Japan stands at the brink of a major financial crisis... Authors John Haffner, Tomas Casas i Klett and Jean-Pierre Lehmann argue that an economic mega-shock would be helpful for the Japanese economy - throwing it open to new ideas, investments and policies.' -'The Globalist' 'What needs to done is summed up 'Japan's Open Future'. Authors John Haffner, Tomas Casas i Klett and Jean-Pierre Lehmann make a spirited case for a more flexible and globally engaged Japan. They also focus on the real problem: an absence of creative thinking in Tokyo.' -William Pesek, Bloomberg 'Tomas Casas i Klett, co-author of the excellent new book 'Japan's Open Future' warns: 'The world can digest one mercantilist super economy, but not two'.' -Dan Slater, Finance Asia 'This recent book by Haffner and others, 'Japan's Open Future'...will surely stimulate us to reconsider the Japan problem.' -The Shanghai Review of Books in 'Oriental Morning Post' 'The three Western authors question Japan's attitude, suggesting new ways forward; Japan should embrace its Asian heritage, while maintaining friendly relations with the Western world. When Japan moves from closedness to openness, it will also bear responsibility for the world's politics and global economy.' -'Social Sciences Weekly' 'The argument made by John Haffner, Tomas Casas i Klett, and Jean-Pierre Lehmann - a spirited call for an open, globally minded Japan - is certainly admirable, but I fear that there is little desire for openness and optimism among the Japanese people.' -Tobias Harris, 'Observing Japan' blog 'Adds a necessary perspective to the debate. The book provides a reminder that Japan's economic and political power should not be underestimated just because there are other rising stars in the neighborhood.' -Arudou Debito, 'Debito.org' 'Japanese people, it's time to become global citizens!' -'Wenhui Book Review' 'This book effectively chronicles the evolution of the world's second largest economy from feudal state to nation-state to postmodern state. Recommended.' -C. J. Talele, Columbia State Community College, 'Choice'