The MIT encyclopedia of the Japanese economy /

This encyclopedic dictionary provides a single comprehensive source of definitions for the basic concepts and terminology of the Japanese economy. The 159 topical essays vary in length but provide definition, description, and discussion that frequently includes both Japanese and American points of view. Many essays include statistical tables; addresses of important ministries, agencies, organizations, and companies; and brief lists of references for further research. Cross-references are bold-faced. In addition to the generally excellent topical essays, there are more than 200 brief entries with definitions. Unfortunately, the brief entries are dominated by company names that provide little information other than rank within an industry and a cross-reference to the topical industry entry. Only one individual, Akio Morita of Sony, appears to have merited a short entry. Japanese terms are generally defined under their English equivalents; cross-references from one term to another are infrequent. Hsu (economics, Clark Univ.) has compiled a unique resource that could be improved; MIT Press should be chided for the numerous typographical errors. Nevertheless, this dictionary should prove valuable in libraries serving business, economics, and area studies. M. K. Ewing; St. Cloud State University