Does it even matter today except as an object lesson in how not to run a country? Now, Japan is seen as a has-been with a sluggish economy, an aging population, dysfunctional politics, and a business landscape dominated by yesterday's champions. A quarter-century ago, Tokyo's stock exchange was bigger than New York's and the Japanese industrial juggernaut seemed destined to sweep all before it. But Washington treats the place with something between absent-mindedness and contempt, and while some fret that Tokyo could drag the US into an unwanted confrontation with China, it has otherwise essentially disappeared from the American radar screen. Should we care about Japan anymore? It has a long history and a rich artistic heritage kids today can't seem to get enough of its popular culture and it is supposed to be America's number one ally in Asia-Pacific.
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