By Andy Mukherjee
The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.
Pearl Harbor is a powerful reminder of the importance of Japan. The surprise attack launched 73 years ago, Sunday (or Monday by Tokyo time) by Japanese forces changed the course of history, plunging America into World War Two and, eventually, sealing Japan’s imperial fate. From the ashes of the war these bitter enemies forged an unlikely alliance that has weathered many storms. Today it is more important than ever before.
The Great Divergence is a term coined by economic historians to explain the sudden acceleration of growth and technology in Europe from the 16th century onward, while other civilizations such as China, India, Japan and Persia remained in their pre-modern state. This phrase has recently acquired a very different meaning, however, more relevant to global economic and financial conditions today.
While few people have had serious hopes for a prolonged Japanese economic boom for a long time, the range of forecasts provided for Japan's recent economic performance gives you an idea of just how wildly unexpected the news was today that it is back in recession.