competitiveness of japan prof eul yong park japanese economy up to 2000 legacy growth and 1960s 1980s re examined restructuring the reform agenda i rapid sustained for over 3 decades until 10 0 annual average rate 1970s 4 2 1990s 1 real gdp 1956 98 source economic statistics 1995 research department bank year percent 6 8 12 14 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 1998 5 moving key factors high absorptive capacity foreign technology catch innovations on operating efficiency quality low cost system lean production toyota total management close supplier relationship employees as assets life time employment macro stability growing global market ii warning signals continuous years rates deflation trend last unemployment
