ABSTRACT
The title of this chapter is 'The Dynamics of Paralysis'; it could have been given a more Pirandello-like twist, for example: 'Japan's Leading Actors in Search of a New Paradigm'. Japan's success in the modern age dates back to the Meiji Restoration of 1868. However, before that Japan was in fact quite remarkably successful as a feudal society in which were laid the foundations for pre-modernization. A new positive paradigm for Japan, therefore, would require rejuvenation. Furthermore, while, as has been noted, there is destruction occurring in Japanese political economy, at this stage there is no evidence that it would justify being described as 'creative destruction'. If that does emerge as the new Japanese paradigm, if Japan does succeed in making a paradigmatic shift in tune with the global paradigm, then Japan's contribution to the international political economy in the 21st century will be significant and constructive.
