Balance Sheet Recession: Japan's Struggle with Uncharted Economics and its Global Implications

By Richard C. Koo

Economists and business commentators have assumed that the majority of companies in any economy are forward looking and trying to maximise profit, and have never considered that a vast majority of these may be placing their highest priorities on minimising debt to repair the balance sheet.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0470821167
• ISBN13: 9780470821169
• Release Date: October 2003
• Publisher: Wiley
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.9" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Asset Bubbles & Their Potential Implications

A recount of the reasons and the monetary policy implications of the Japan experience after the 1990 asset bubble collapse. The interesting points are that many of the macro items discussed are eerily similar to what is happening in the US today. The bigger point of interest is where the Japanese system had a leveraged corporate debt issue, the US has both a corporate and a personal debt issue. Therefore, what are the implications when we as a society start to pay off on this debt? and when/if the Government changes their fiscal policy and starts to balance the budget? No matter, the markets will figure this out before most Americans realize what has hit them. All in, it was an interesting economic read both from a economic geek perspective and as many past government trade polices were detailed with colorful insights.

The Book that will Help you Understand what is Going on in the Economy

I can't say enough good things about this book. He gets to the root causes and potential solutions of our current economic conditions in a clear and concise way. He should get a Noble Prize for his work (whatever that's worth considering recent recipients). If you're an investor you'll make your money back many times over from his insight. Brilliant, simply brilliant.