Shrinking-Population Economics: Lessons From Japan
by: Akihiko, Matsutani

Hardcover. Tokyo, International House of Japan, 1st English Ed., 2006, Book: Very Good, Dust Jacket: Very Good, Hardcover in a bright dust jacket, 201 pages. Many of the world's major economies face shrinking populations this century. Everyone from Japan and Italy to China will have older and then shrinking populations in the foreseeable future. Japan is the first major economy to head down this path and there is a great deal to learn from their experience. Professor Masutani's book is the best text available in English. Some quick lessons - automation is not a solution, economies will shrink. The sometimes desperate acts that companies and governments take to prevent this shrinkage (like running deficits and over investment in automation and infrastructure) will make things worse, not better. Shrinking populations can lead to a healthier and happier population if the right policy steps are taken. Companies need to shift focus from growing the top-line (sales) to a focus on value generation and the bottom line. Clean copy.