ABSTRACT
For more than two centuries prior to the onslaught of Western imperialism in the mid-nineteenth century, Japan secluded itself from the outside world (a term known in Japanese as “closed country” or sakoku as in鎖國). Today’s Japan is a major international actor. But by many measurements, it is isolated and increasingly so. International education is booming, but Japan is being left behind. Young Japanese professionals express little interest in working abroad. Japanese are underrepresented in international organizations and global business, and few foreigners live in the country. Foreign investment in Japan is surprisingly low.
