Synthesizing a wide range of scholarship Christopher Howe traces the
history of Japanese trade over four centuries and locates the sources of
Japan's current commercial and financial strength in events that began
in the sixteenth century.
Thoughtful, well-organized, and lucidly written and reflects many years
of painstaking research in different literatures.--Business Horizons
The best analysis yet in English of the role of technology in Japan's
emergence as a global economic power.--David J. Jeremy, Technology and
Culture
An important addition to Japanese economic history and the concept of
creating relative advantage in trade.--Richard Rice, Journal of Asian
Studies
No other work in English approaches Christopher Howe's combination of a
sweeping historical perspective with a comprehensive yet in-depth
analysis of factors underlying Japan's pre-1940 economic 'miracle.' . .
. [An] illuminating study.--Steven J. Ericson, American Historical
Review