Japan as number 1: lessons for America. (book reviews) George A. Miller.

Three recent books discuss the "miracle" of Japan, pulling itself together after the war, and building a nation greater than the U.S. There is considerable debate as to whether Japan is a greater nation than the United States, but there is little disagreement that Japan has become a major economic force in a very short time. The three books discuss how Japan did it, and what lessons there are for the United States.

Japan as Number 1 by Ezra F. Vogel. Ezra F. Vogel is an unabashed Japanophile. His book, Japan as Number 1, Lessons for America was published originally by Harvard University Press in 1979. Vogel has lived several books on the subject. Japan as Number 1 was more popular in Japan than here in the United States. As if to rectify the situation he is currently writing a book called Japan's Wasted Workers, which should show the other side of the story. In Japan as Number 1, he is full of praise for the organization of the Japanese government. He believes that the Government is responsible for the amazing success of Japanese business and sees lessons for the United States. Vogel avoids being preachy, since he realizes that the United States could probably never attain the level of bureaucracy nourished in Japan. The book is full of boring statistics and concentrates on government and politics.

Review Grade: C