An attempt to describe and evaluate Japanese economic development in so short a space may seem bold and even foolhardy. Much statistical evidence has had to be condensed and analysis of complex issues distilled to the bare essence. Constraints on the size of the bibliography prevented due acknowledgement of the multitude of authorities to whom the author is indebted, as he is to his family for practical help and encouragement. Particular thanks are due to the present and previous editors of the series for their patience and to an anonymous reader for his invaluable suggestions. It is hoped that at least non-specialists will be motivated to read further about one of the most remarkable economic histories of the twentieth century.

Grateful acknowledgement is made for permission to reprint the tables from K. Ohkawa and M. Shinohara with Larry Meissner (eds), Patterns of Japanese Economic Development. A Quantitative Appraisal, to the authors and to Yale University.