In the 1980s, Japan's economy posted strong economic growth, in stark contrast to the more pedestrian growth other developed economies experienced. In this period, referred to as the "bubble" economy, Japan experienced a sharp increase in the values of land and stocks. The fast paced growth came to a halt in 1991, however, as the Ministry of Finance grew concerned over prospects of a rising rate of inflation, and, accordingly, tightened the nation's money supply. Since then, Japanese economic growth has fallen sharply and the economy has experienced asset deflation, rising levels of unemployment, and falling corporate profits and investments.

Both the Bush Administration and the new Japanese Government headed by Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa had given considerable importance to the President,s planned trip to Tokyo in late November, now postponed in the interest of attending to domestic concerns.

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The surprise election of Socialist Party leader Tomiichi Murayama as Prime Minister on June 29, 1994, reflects an ongoing process of change and realignment in Japanese politics that, in the short term, has made the management of U.S.-Japan relations significantly more difficult and impeded the resolution of important issues. Although Murayama has pledged continuity in U.S.-Japan relations, and key cabinet posts have been given to senior LDP leaders with experience in dealing with Washington, his election could have a number of negative implications for U.S. interests. Among other possibilities, the change could temporarily set back the cause of political reform in Japan, further delay the recovery of the Japanese economy from a three-year long slump, pose new obstacles to trade negotiations aimed at more fully opening Japanese markets to U.S. goods and services, and bring into question Tokyo's cooperation under certain scenarios on the issue of North Korea's nuclear weapons program. The likely hiatus in major decisionmaking may continue at least until the next general election.

A reevaluation of U.S. trade policy towards Japan and how we negotiate our trade difficulties is now taking place in the Congress, the executive branch, academia, and the business community. From the various reviews are emerging critiques and proposals for new policy approaches.

Front: Text describes action on various war fronts: New Guinea -- Solomons -- Submarines -- Tunisia -- Russia -- Western Europe. Large world map is keyed to text and illustrates time zones around the world. Inset maps show Tunisia -- Moscow/Leningrad region. Includes photographs: Attack: A-20 Boston bombers in central Tunisia -- Jeep rider: South Sea islander hitches a ride on an Army jeep -- Loudspeaker on Guadalcanal -- Jap 75 on New Guinea. Back: German Navy uniforms and insignia. Includes color illustrations of uniforms and components, and insignia with informational text. Chart of German pronunciation of military ranks with equivalent ratings in U.S. and German navies.

Front: Text describes action on various war fronts: Cologne and Essen flattened -- Tiny subs find Sydney ready -- the Japanese "save face" -- Army of 4 1/2 million for '42 -- Mexico welcomed into war -- Rommel's forces turned -- Hitler's hangman dies -- Poison gas used in China -- Armies shift in Russia. Large world map is keyed to text and illustrates time zones around the world. Inset maps show Libyan battle, Dutch Harbor, Axis drives and British attacks at Libyan; Unalaska Is.; Unalaska Bay. Includes photographs: Producing the big seacoast rifles; Red gound defense on the Russian front; Nazis' Focke-Wulf 190 fighter; Yanks saw a motor show put on by Aussies; 4-motored Stirling bombers used over Cologne. Back: Enemy Tanks Are Vulnerable. Includes 10 photographs with descriptive text below each.

Front: Text describes action on various war fronts: Air offensive, Italy, Central Pacific, Southwest Pacific, Southeast Asia, Eastern front. Maps: New Guinea; Pre-invasion air offensive. Includes 7 photographs. Back: Four approaches to Japan [from Alaska, from China-Burma, from Manchuria, from the S. W. Pacific]. Color illustrations showing the 4 approaches from perspective above the globe.

Front: Text describes action on various war fronts: Jap-Held Island Hammered from Air, Philippines take Allied Aerial Blows, Allies Blunt German Western Front Drive, Battle Rages Inside Budapest. Maps: Burma, India, China -- Iwo-Jima -- Distance from Japan to Saipan -- Philippine targets -- Belgium region -- Central Europe -- Eastern front. Back: Map of Germany and its approaches.

This report looks at Japan-U.S. relations since WWII. The report focuses on some problems which can be addressed by Congress, including the earthquake and tsunami which hit Japan in March, 2011, the Futenma Marine Air Station in Okinawa, bilateral trade, and economic issues resulting from the recent credit crisis and related economic recession.

This report discusses the effects of the possible entry of Japan to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. The TPP issue presents both risks and opportunities for the United States and Japan. On the one hand, it could reinvigorate an economic relationship that has remained steady but stagnant, by forcing the two countries to address long-standing, difficult issues, and allowing them to raise their relationship to a higher level. On the other hand, failure to do so could indicate that the underlying problems are too fundamental to overcome and could set back the relationship.