Japan’s brand is stronger than ever. Japan Inc. must tap into it

Japan's brand is stronger than ever. Japan Inc. must tap into it Japan's brand is stronger than ever. Japan Inc. must tap into it

Nick Kapur is associate professor and director of graduate studies at Rutgers University-Camden’s Department of History.

In July 1979, U.S. President Jimmy Carter gave his famous “Malaise Speech” in which he diagnosed Americans with a crisis of confidence in themselves. Japan today faces a similar crisis of confidence, even as the Japan brand remains stronger than ever.