"With this book Professor Yamamura has made a valuable contribution to our understanding of Japan's postwar economic development; indeed, this should rank as one of the most important works on the subject that has appeared in English. It will command the attention and respect of students of economic development as well as of those who interest is directed at Japan. . . . Although the book is addressed primarily to students of economics and makes use of statistical techniques where these are called for, the technical apparatus is not paraded, and the serious general reader with only a modest acquaintance with modern economics can read it with interest. It will count as a indispensable book for all students of the Japanese economy." --G. C. Allen, University College, London